Keepin it positive

Sherry took John out for dinner tonight, so I have some free time on the computer. Lucky you! I hope they have Chinese food because the last time John brought home leftovers and I didn’t have to cook for myself. Keepin it positive.

I just watched the news and it doesn’t look good for GM workers in Oshawa lately. This US strike will have a huge ripple effect for Ontario. The automotive industry in general is not healthy, especially for the (former) big three, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors. Can this be blamed on a strong union? When I was hired at CN Rail I thought I had a lifetime job. The railway union is also very strong; most of you already read how I was thrown off the yo-gang. While I was employed at CN they still honoured an old labour agreement that paid a four-man train crew, an extra two people to shovel coal into the engine, to service a small area of southwestern Ontario. Once the caboose was removed (also during my tenure with CN) it got dangerously crowded up front so two employees were paid to stay home everyday. Outdated labour agreements forced CN to privatize. Companies can’t compete paying ridiculous salaries for uneducated labour. All across North America railway companies packaged specific areas and sold them to short-line railway operators. The non-unionized cost effective lines now service a main line that operates with a lot less employees. When I started with CN in 1981 they had over 100,000 employees, when I left the number was down to around 22,000 employees. Strong unions have already cost me one good job and now I have a good job in the automotive industry. EGAD!! Sorry to any union paying readers out there (including John who now pays dues to the UFCW) at one time there was a need for labour unions but now they exist to protect the lazy and the stupid. With the strength of the Canadian dollar lately Ford hasn’t been quick to announce a 2008 Can-Am program, and with an expensive European vacation planned soon… I’m keepin it positive.

John is home now. I hope it’s not a sign, but they didn’t have Chinese. Damn! Now I have to go cook dinner. Also to anonymous "homosaysfuckingwhat", try keepin it positive.