What's Left 2016-10-30 Volume 79
Student Day of Action: All Out November 2; Rage boils over in Québec; Nouvelle droite: Québec's right wing rears its head; UK court rules uber drivers are employees
CETA: Lessons from Canada | Council of Canadians
Also see: Arbitration scheme obstacle to EU-Canada trade deal | Financial Post “Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) was once a term known only to international trade experts, but became the rallying cry of those opposed to EU-U.S. trade negotiations when these were launched three years ago. … We want absolutely no private arbitration mechanisms,” [Oxford educated] premier of Wallonia Paul Magnette said on Monday as he delivered a final “Non” to signing the deal this week – though in fact negotiators involved in CETA argue that its tribunals will be appointed by governments on either side without corporate input.'
Opportunistic move seeks to divide workers in Newfoundland and Labrador | What's Left
A former NDP Member of Parliament is leading a group attempting to raid the largest private sector union in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor).
Food Security and Unions | What's Left
Local Toronto food activists are working with unionized workers to shift local food procurement at the University of Toronto. By in-sourcing production and cooking real food they are showing that by working together, workers and activists can make a positive impact in our communities.
Video game voice actors on strike | What's Left
After almost two years working without a contract, the actors who provide the the voices for many of the most memorable video game characters have gone on strike.
Cyber attacks are constant and a reminder of the importance of security and privacy | What's Left
The internet has become so important to global and local economies that if a connection goes down, it becomes a major disruption to peoples' lives and work. This has made it a prime focus for those who want to cause economic damage.
Transparency, privacy, and political opportunism | What's Left
The publication of hacked emails and documents seems to have become a regular occurrence in recent years. However, while the government documents leaked by Edward Snowden were combed through by journalists who made it a priority to write about and publish only stories that served the public interest, more recent leaks have not been handled so well.
What's Left 2016-10-23 Volume 78
Transparency, privacy, and political opportunism ; Cyber attacks are constant and a reminder of the importance of security and privacy ; Video game voice actors on strike ; Food Security and Unions ; LEFT NOISE
Basic income – too basic, not radical enough | Michael Roberts
'The idea of a basic income has gained much popularity recently and not just among leftists but also with right-wing pro-capital proponents. Basic income boils down to making a monthly payment by a government to every citizen of an amount that meets ‘basic necessities' whether that person is unemployed or not or whatever the circumstance. As Daniel Raventós, defines it in his recent book: “Basic Income is an income paid by the state to each full member or accredited resident of a society, regardless of whether or not he or she wishes to engage in paid employment, or is rich or poor or, in other words, independently of any other sources of income that person might have, and irrespective of cohabitation arrangements in the domestic sphere” (Basic Income: The Material Conditions of Freedom).'
NASA is becoming a victim of US-style capitalism | What's Left
While commodification of the research at NASA has always been a goal, increasing levels of privatization and political interference is now undermining the space program's long-term sustainability.