03mobile)

 
(The following article is from the November 16-30, 2008, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)
 
By Johan Boyden

Community, labour, social justice, youth and environmental organizations across Toronto are coming together under the banner of the newly formed "Good Jobs Coalition" in response to the manufacturing jobs crisis.

     According to its website, goodjobscoalition.ca, the alliance was formed "to start a focused dialogue on how to improve living and working conditions in Canada's largest urban centre." The coalition is planning a conference with keynote speakers from the US and Canada, as well as workshops on precarious work, immigration policy and labour, public services, and employment equity.

     "For many years, greater Toronto earned a reputation as a place where most people could enjoy a reasonable quality of life," the coalition's draft declaration says. "However, opportunity and prosperity were never fully shared, and the growth of inequality challenges us all," it adds noting that "The market-oriented economic model of recent years is leaving many behind... Despite the pressures of globalization, we know from real experience that other ways are possible."

     The coalition is calling for respect for the work done by everyone in our society; the ability to have full-time, stable employment; the right for everyone to have a living wage; the enforcement of legal employment standards; the need to have work that is safe and healthy; the right to have a collective voice at work through unionization; the recognition of diverse skills, qualifications, learning and creativity; the provision of benefits for medical, dental, vision and disability needs; the equitable access to work, training and advancement; the opportunity to participate in a greener economy; and the ability to retire with dignity.

     The conference will take place from 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Metro Convention Center (255 Front Street, St. Patrick TTC).