Dave at thickslab wrote a post on the TTC strike. And I thought rather than argue away on his blog. I would post a response of my own. Dave was making the point that many people want to take away the TTC’s right to strike by making it an essential service. Dave’s post had more to do with the idea of oppression and, that rather than trying to gain rights for ourselves, we attempt to pull others down. (which is an awful Canadian trait).
While I agree with most of Dave’s sentiment. I don’t think this applies to the TTC strike this time. Canadians have a very strong notion of “fair”. What is fair? It is very different then what is legal and not quite the same as what is right. I think if you asked most Torontonians they would agree that striking for unsafe work conditions is fair. No one should work, or be forced to work in a situation that makes them feel unsafe. Likewise it would be unfair to declare the TTC an essential service when in reality it isn’t. There are alternative ways to get to work – ride a bike, walk, taxi, carpool. Unlike the fire department, which is an essential service; who are you going to call if your house is on fire and they are on strike.
The issue arises when something feels “unfair”. If the TTC was striking because their work environments were unsafe then by all means strike with my blessings. I will respect your picket line and find another way to get to work. But to strike because you feel you deserve to be the highest paid transit workers in the GTA is…unfair. Give 48 hours notice of a strike and people can arrange alternative transportation – that is fair. Stop service at midnight, not at the end of the service day – mind you, but at midnight on a Friday night when people who are going out expect to be able to take transit home and that is unfair.
The funny thing about being Canadian is I get more riled up about something that is unfair than I do about something that is illegal. How about you?