Speakeasy forum: How government works: the Ontario Provincial Government

is in negotiations with its Teachers' unions regarding a contract which expired 3 years ago. The Teachers have already agreed to 0% and 0% (No increases, and no COLA), but the Ontario Government (Liberals, incidentally) wants them to take 3 unpaid days during the year, which amounts to a 1.5% reduction, plus to give back the long standing cumulative Sick Pay which has been in place for decades. Teachers don't have any Short Term Disability benefits The teachers aren't happy, but it is projected to save the government $1.1 Billion .

On the other hand, the Government has written off $1.4 Billion in taxes owed by Corporations in the Province because of threats to leave if the taxes are pursued.

So workers are effectively powerless to address a situation, forbidden from striking. But Corporations can **** a snook (yes, the spelling is correct) or flip the bird at the Government and the Government just grovels.

Why is labour accorded so little ability to negotiate? Why are their achievements so greedily clawed back, by governments as well as the private sector where the claw backs are worse? And why are people in general so blind to abuses like this, indeed, they are sympathetic to them?

Schadenfreude abounds.

Rob