|
1) FORD ADMINISTRATION SUFFERS
FIRST BIG SETBACK
By Liz Rowley
The hard‑right administration of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was dealt a big
setback on January 17. After months of protests by community groups and labour, the city's 2012 austerity budget was amended to
add $19 million to rescue three homeless shelters, three child care centres, school nutrition programs, HIV/AIDS programs,
city-owned homes for the aged, swimming and wading pools, recreation centres, libraries, and other essential services slated
for closure, contracting out, or deep reductions and big new user fees.
Dubbed by some as a war on children's services, Ford's budget attacked
everything from housing to transit to health and social services, from the arts
and libraries to public assets like theatres and zoos, affecting almost
everyone in this city of 2.7 million. The public rose up in horror, from the
trade unions to wealthy arts patrons and supporters of the library system. .
.
2) 15,000 RALLY
AGAINST 55% WAGE CUT AND LOCKOUT AT CATERPILLAR
PV Ontario
Bureau
The CAW and Ontario Federation of Labour organized a massive demonstration on Jan. 21, when
15,000 workers rolled into London's
Victoria Park on 72 buses rented for the occasion by unions and Labour Councils across the province.
They were there in a massive show of unity and solidarity with the almost 500
members of Local 27 CAW, locked out since December 29 by Electro‑Motive
Canada.
EMC is a subsidiary of the super-profitable transnational corporation
Caterpillar, which produces heavy equipment in plants located around the
world.
EMC illegally locked out its employees after they voted to refuse the
company's final offer: a 55% wage cut and deep cuts to pensions and benefits.
Workers were told that a "no" vote would lead to the company
relocating its operations to Indiana,
leaving its employees in Canada
jobless. But the concession demands were so outrageous that Local 27 members
voted against the offer anyway. Many are skilled trades
workers who earn as much as $35 an hour. The company sought to cut their
wages to $16.50. Since the lockout began, the company has removed machinery
and equipment from the plant in violation of the collective agreement. . . .
3) SOLIDARITY CAN
BLOCK THE ENBRIDGE NORTHERN GATEWAY PIPELINE
Statement by
the Central Executive Committee, Communist Party of Canada
The
Joint Review Panel hearings into the Enbridge Northern Gateway (ENG) pipeline
have become a historic clash between two different visions for the future of Canada.
On the one hand, the transnational energy monopolies and their right-wing
political backers are determined to use any means available to win approval
for this project, which would make Canada even more dependent on the
export of raw materials. On the other hand, a vast coalition has emerged,
bringing together Aboriginal peoples, environmentalists, working people, and
even sections of the business community who understand the grave
environmental, economic and social dangers.
As the vast majority of submissions to the hearings have proven, the ENG
project does not meet the criteria of being "required" and "in
the public interest." Rather, it is intended to generate huge new
profits for the oil and gas monopolies. .
4) BLOCK
THE TORY ANTI-ABORIGINAL AGENDA
5)
STUDENT PROTESTS PLANNED ON 50 CAMPUSES
6) QUEBEC
STUDENTS GEAR UP FOR ANTI-TUITION STRIKES
7)
STUDENT PROTESTS SHAKE CHILE
8) 2012: A
CRITICAL BARGAINING YEAR - Editorial
9)
CONFUSION FROM THE RIGHT - Editorial
10) HOW B.C.'S
"FAMILY-FRIENDLY" PREMIER ATTACKS EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE
11) VSB CENSURES
LYING TRUSTEES
12) METIS LAND
CASE GOES TO SUPREME COURT OF CANADA
13)
DEMYSTIFYING SYRIA: BACKGROUND TO THE CRISIS
14) MUSIC
NOTES, By Wally Brooker
15) WHAT’S LEFT
Printer-Friendly Articles
People’s Voice
February 1-14, 2012 (pdf)

The Spark!
The latest issue of The
Spark! theoretical journal, is now on sale for
$5 at Communist Party offices or People’s Co-op Books, 1391 Commercial Drive,
Vancouver.
Rebel Youth

Click for Larger 2012 Calendar

|
People's Voice finds many "Global
Class Struggle" reports at the "Labour
Start" website, http://www.labourstart.org/. We urge our readers to check it out!
|
|
People's
Voice deadlines
February 15-29
Thursday, February 2
March 1-15
Thursday, February 16
Send submissions to PV Editorial
Office, 706
Clark Drive, Vancouver, V5L 3J1, pvoice@telus.net
You can call the editorial office
|
|
|
Become Facebook
friends with
Peoplesvoice Ca
Some
photos posted in Facebook album
GRAPHICS AND ARTICLES FEBRUARY 1-14, 2012









|