A tale of two strikes

http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=2f37f6f7-0b20-4bb7-9643-9060f1d05082

The city walkout marked its 99th day Wednesday, matching a historic strike by Ford workers in 1945. But in today's radically different labour climate, that's where the similarities end.
Donald McArthur, The Windsor Star
Published: Thursday, July 23, 2009

'Like twigs, we can be broken one by one, but together we become a bundle that nothing can break."

Those words were reputedly uttered by slain union boss Charlie Brooks, who is honoured in Coventry Gardens with a memorial Peace fountain that remained in storage this summer, a casualty of a bitter city strike now in its 100th day -- one day longer than Windsor's historic Ford strike in 1945.

The quote was featured atop a registration form for the 32nd annual Charlie Brooks golf tournament -- a CAW Local 444 event that was postponed this year because organizers didn't want to patronize the city-owned Roseland golf course in the midst of the municipal work stoppage.


A CUPE picket line delays a driver from entering a parking lot at 400 City Hall Sq. on June 29.
Nick Brancaccio, The Windsor Star

Labour leaders say that sort of sacrificial solidarity has been in short supply during Windsor's summer of the strike, which has seen residents and councillors crossing picket lines, profit-seekers hauling trash to the dump and scores of vitriolic attacks against unions in anonymous posts on The Star's website.

Gary Parent, president of the Windsor District Labour Council, said he has been saddened by the "polarization" he has seen in this community and blamed Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis and council for transforming Brooks' bundle of twigs into sticks of kindling ready to burn.

He said those who are quick to condemn unions forget that the safety and benefits they take for granted in the workplace, even in non-union shops, are the legacy of past union struggles.

"We're the victims of our own success," said Parent. "People who have not had to fight for anything don't appreciate the fight of those who came before them."

FULL 2 page story at link.