Arbitrated deal would be richer for union
For Toronto's pickets, being treated like the city's other unions might not lead to big wage hikes.
Residents' new bag-yard
Talk about justified NIMBYISM.
Union vows to rock boat
We didn't know boats were going to the island."
-- CUPE 416 VP Dave Hewitt
Score one for the city!
Even the strikers acknowledge that, but promise to even the score tomorrow.
Still, the move by the City of Toronto to charter a Toronto Tours Ltd. boat to replace the docked ferries and shepherd islanders to and from Ward's Island was a stroke of genius and good planning.
"It was," admits CUPE 416 VP and strike committee officer Dave Hewitt. "We thought it was locked up tighter than a drum over there. Now we have to mobilize in response to what the city does."
As reported in Wednesday's Toronto Sun by Sue-Ann Levy and Brian Gray, a 1.7-metre, 40-seat charter boat called the Shipsands has been rented by the taxpayer and ferries between Queen's Quay to Ward's Island every hour, and every half hour during rush hours to get islanders to and from the city.
"It's safe to say we will set up pickets," Hewitt said. "It's on our agenda for our meeting Saturday when we also meet with Local 79."
Later in the day, what was a free ride on calm waters for islanders from downtown to Ward's Island may have some waves to negotiate.
Now I know what you are thinking.
Thanks to this strike, now into its 26th day, Centre Island is closed, municipal golf courses are vacant, summer camps are idle, daycare service is on hold, garbage is piling up.
Suddenly word pops up that it's business as usual for Toronto's Islanders, who have private transportation and it's paid for by us?
It's interesting how the city chooses its priorities. It can shut down Canada Day celebrations, but not Pride weekend.
All of Centre Island's attractions are dark because of no ferries and suddenly the islanders have their own service?
"It's a double standard," Councillor Rob Ford said yesterday, a day out of the hospital and emergency surgery in which he's already feeling sick.
"I just don't get it," Ford said. "The tourists can't go to the island, but the people who shouldn't be there in the first place have a free ride by the taxpayers!"
He's hoping city auditor Jeff Griffiths will look at the costs.
So far, the city hasn't divulged any details surrounding the deal to charter a boat full-time during peak season.
The charter rates for harbourfront boats vary, but there are packages available in the $1,000-a-day range.
"During the labour disruption, the city has organized an alternative transportation service for the use of Island residents," explains city spokesman Leisa Tjoeng.
"The city is provincially mandated to operate a transportation service to and from the islands to accommodate residents on a year-round basis."
Ford said it's the first he has heard of that and most people I spoke with figure that if it is, that should mean islanders have access to the ferry at the island airport, and not in essence a substitute service with replacement workers at a time when the rest of the city's services are down for the count.
NO FANS OF PORTER
Several have whispered in my ear that a lot of the islanders loathe to use the special Porter Airlines ferry -- and since Mayor David Miller is not a fan of the island airport, you can connect the dots.
But then Miller's spokesman correctly points out a similar arrangement with a boat charter was worked out for the islanders during the last strike in 2002 when he wasn't mayor.
To be honest, I have no problem with any side on this. The islanders can't be stranded, the city should be trying to run its services, the union has every right to picket and try to stop them and once again Ford is correct to point out the inequity of it.
Meanwhile, I took the Shipsands across and learned islanders just use their ferry pass or used tickets, where I paid $6.50.
"It has just been great," says resident Evan Roerick, a friendly life-long islander who was with his family and a big grocery order. "These people running the boat have been fantastic to us."
In fact, the two university students operating the boat -- Matt Goulet and Kristoph Karbach -- were very courteous, helping people carry off their supplies.
"You probably wouldn't see a ferry worker do that," one islander joked.
That may or may not be true, depending on the workers, but tomorrow you very well may see some with picket signs.
JOE.WARMINGTON@SUNMEDIA.CA
No comments:
Post a Comment