Issue 39 - 25, February 23 2025
Solidarity Challenges
Wow, many union retirees have lived through the tensions of maintaining solidarity, it comes easier when the boss is beating up workers, but when politicians try and sell their friendship it can be difficult. In the Ontario election, not unlike many others over the years not everyone is together. What is evident this election is that more unions are bold and aggressive in their endorsements, and some are coming from unlikely participants. In one day this week we had a community where the labour council (30,000 members) endorsed all four NDP candidates, and for the first time we saw a smaller public sector union endorse the conservatives, a couple of building trades unions continued their support as they did in the last election supporting Doug Ford, (highlighting it is an endorsement for Doug Ford), and a small (115 member) private sector local union makes the local paper endorsing the conservatives.
In the context of labour unions, solidarity serves not only as a conceptual foundation but as a practical tool for achieving improved lives for working people. So, we have those that will see this as the sky is falling, others will see it as we have some work to do. Many union retirees have the stories, the experiences, and those that follow will have more stories and different experiences, how we must continue to build the solidarity, it’s the only way workers will benefit a better livelihood. Historically, this solidarity has been pivotal in the labour movement, facilitating more effective negotiations between workers and employers, and the collective power amplifies the voices in the political arena.
Union solidarity refers to the collective unity of union members, enabling them to stand by one another in pursuit of common goals. Workers organized to combat exploitative conditions during the Industrial Revolution, recognizing that collective action was the key to effecting meaningful change. Concurrently, the concept of international solidarity emerged as workers realized that the fight for fair labour standards transcended national boundaries, highlighting the enduring relevance of union solidarity.
Despite its importance, union solidarity has always faced significant challenges. Political opposition, internal division within unions, stemming from differing interests, leadership disputes, or even demographic disparities, can hinder effective collaboration.
The challenges today, the Conservatives acting like our friends, Trump taking on everything American, necessitate proactive strategies to maintain unity. Open communication, inclusive decision-making, and collective engagement are vital in bridging the different approaches and challenges.
Solidarity is defined as an awareness of shared interests, objectives, standards, and sympathies, culminating in a psychological sense of unity among diverse groups or classes.
Next Week – solidarity after the election.
Seniors targeted with Fraud
Government of Canada warn that fraud is the number one crime against older Canadians. Though people of all ages can be victims of fraud, older people get targeted more than others. Some of the reasons are that they are often home during the day to answer the door or phone, they can be more trusting, and they may not have family or friends close by to ask for a second opinion.
People who commit fraud and scams are commonly called con artists. Con artists don't just target people who have a lot of money. A con artist may steal a small amount from many people. They use a variety of ways to reach people, including the Internet, phone calls and even door-to-door visits.
Read more - What every older Canadian should know about: Fraud and scams - Canada.ca
Trump cutting Medicaid
Alliance for Retired Americans (AFLCIO) leader Richard Fiesta released the following statement regarding President Trump’s endorsement of the House Budget Resolution which will slash billions from Medicaid:
“Last night on a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity, President Trump said that there would be ‘no cuts’ to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
“And then this morning he endorsed the billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts called for in the House Budget Resolution.
Medicaid pays for six million Americans’ long-term care, making sure that the most vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities get the care they need in their home or in a nursing home. Cuts of this magnitude are cruel to those who need care and their families.