War on Trash: Day 12
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 –
The 416/79 phalanx showed its face today. Faces, actually. Two of them were on break while the third did an enviably blasé job:
That’s what we’re up against, and despite appearances, the danger is real.
If side-saddle got up a fast enough speed, she could probably bowl me over. Yes, it’s a she. A she with a thirst for battle.
After taking the photo, I back-stepped down the street gingerly as she didn’t seem appreciative of having a portrait done.
A block away I stopped to listen to an amateur musician. Extremely good, and clearly not part of any union:
I hate making these obvious juxtapositions, but it’s important that everyone understand what the War is really about. It’s becoming clear that trash is simply being wielded as a rancid weapon; the 416/79 unit are pulling the strings.
When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. There hasn’t been a single report of trash attacking anyone. It’s just a pawn in the subversive game that the 416/79 corps is playing.
But on the ground, for the urban Torontonian caught in the middle of this conflict, it doesn’t really matter. All the anguish and bitterness ends up festering on their front lawns either way.
Back on the street and now blocks away, children played in an empty urban wasteland, devoid of vegetation and life, but still somehow brimming with hope:
With the sun, it’s not so wasteland-y.
I find these pictures very comforting; that even in the middle of such a terrible conflict, the city still manages to get by somehow. The children still manage to be children, buskers still dot the streets, people still live their lives as best they can.
Clearly the 416/79 offensive is losing ground. Their hierarchy of two managers for every striker is probably hurting them. The only way they’d be able to make any headway now would be to take a good long look in the mirror and pick at some of those blemishes. Until they’re able to do that, all we can do is carry defiance in our eyes. (a pint in the hand is good too)
... with pictures
... with sounds
... with videos
... with opinions
... that's shorter
... that's longer
July 5th, 2009 10:09 am
Thank you for adding me at Link Referral. Since I am unfamiliar with Canada, I was unaware that unions existed there. Silly me, I thought that unions were only an American mob I mean institution:)
I do like the photos. They are very insightful and show some attractive as well as informative sides of your city.
I hope this gets settled before you guys have to put in on a barge and send it to New York.
I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future.
July 6th, 2009 8:32 am
On no, Inge, unions are well established in Canada. I could see their usefulness at one time but these days, well, like you said: mob. I'm glad you dropped by too!
July 6th, 2009 7:03 am
Regarding this garbage workers strike now in its 14th day, I think we need to put pressure on the union to KEEP banked sick days BUT have fewer of them each year; from 18 down to, say, 12 … or even fewer. This would encourage the workers to be, and stay, healthy!
July 6th, 2009 9:15 am
Peter, I may disagree with you but it's a moot discussion. The unions are demanding no concessions and even this more reasonable suggestion would qualify as a concession. I don't really even know what they're expecting to bargain about.