I woke up this morning to the CBC (national radio network) strike. In what’s probably the laziest display of solidarity ever, I won’t listen to the CBC until they settle with the union. Although it’s worth tuning in as an object lesson, as another example of workers’ power. When workers ‘down tools’, whether those tools are wrenches or mixing boards, everything stops. In this case, the news declines from usual questionable quality, and the amount of shitty music increases (which is an accomplishment for the CBC, given how much it plays already.)

It also saves me from listening to local CBC radio personality Dave Bronstetter, who peppers his commentaries with dull witticisms (witty to him) and staunchly liberal questioning. Besides being inexcusable perky, I can add ‘scab’ to his list of faults. If he’s not management, he shouldn’t be on the air.

No one will sit with you in the cafeteria, Dave

In his defence, apparently he’s pissed off right-wingers by being too pro-gay marriage. But he’s not doing his colleagues, gay or straight, any service by crossing their picket line. Scabs out! Dave Bronstetter, get off the air!

Support the striking Omni hotel workers

In another heartening example of labour solidarity, I visited the Omni Hotel picket line yesterday for a few minutes. The workers have been out for a month, and the hotel is using scab labour to replace them, which is illegal. I have huge amounts of respect for workers at any time, given how difficult wage labour is to sustain. Seeing hotel workers walking the line day after day gives me a sense of how strong these people are. They’re almost all women & men of colour, echoing yesterday’s entry about how a multi-ethnic working class is driving trade unionism, teaching us lessons that workers of all colours should take note of.

And it’s also tragic how they’re being strung out to dry. The union is pursuing things through official channels, rather than encouraging other hotels to come out in solidarity – not a far-fetched notion, when you consider 7 hotels struck together for a new contract, and Omni is the last one out. If you pursue quiet, ‘regular’ channels, it gives a chance for the hotel management to wait things out. The Omni workers can’t live on strike pay forever.

Solidarity forever, or failing that, till next Tuesday

Being a labour activist isn’t all bread & roses, you know. Leaving the house without a weather report; spending 30 minutes of a Sunday afternoon on a picket line - flying the red flag takes courage & conviction. I dedicate my next latte to my brothers and sisters in struggle.

Mmmmm... solidarity...