What's Left 2016-10-02 Volume 76
Where does economic critique come from?; The struggle continues for fair wages and workers' rights; Young workers, activism, and building a better world; Free trade is front and centre again; LEFT NOISE!
Young workers, activism, and building a better world
I often have the chance to speak to groups of young workers, most of the time Unifor members under 35, to do skill-building and engagement workshops. For those occasions, I have used different versions of this presentation, which I have adapted here in written form.
Angered by 9/11 Victims Law, Saudis Rethink U.S. Alliance | The New York Times
'The United States has a large military presence throughout the gulf, with training missions in Saudi Arabia and large bases in Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The United States also cooperates with Saudi Arabia in military operations in Yemen and elsewhere'
Full speech: John McDonnell at Labour conference
'We'll introduce legislation to ban companies taking on excessive debt to pay out dividends to shareholders. And we'll rewrite the Takeover Code to make sure every takeover proposal has a clear plan in place to pay workers and pensioners. … We'll reintroduce sectoral collective bargaining across the economy, ending the race to the bottom on wages. And let me give you this commitment: in the first hundred days of our Labour government, we'll repeal the Trade Union Act. … And we'll introduce a “Right to Own”, giving workers first refusal on a proposal for worker ownership when their company faces a change of ownership or closure. So the next Labour government will promote a renaissance in co-operative and worker ownership. The new regional development banks will be tasked with supplying the capital a new generation of business owners will need to succeed.'
30 years of The Handmaid's Tale: a book review
In 1985, Canadian author Margaret Atwood published The Handmaid's Tale. The book would go on to win the Governor General's Award for English language fiction that same year and further establish her as a prominent writer. As a francophone reader, I am late in the game of reading Atwood's work, but this novel's 30th anniversary prompted me to add it to my summer reading list. As it turns out, The Handmaid's Tale is a timely, provocative read for initiated and first-time readers alike.
Indian high court enforces copyright exemption for education | What's Left
In India, the Delhi high court has ruled that a university providing photocopied textbooks for its students has not violated the copyright act, since the photocopies are being undertaken for educational purposes.
October 1 is a chance to capture hearts and minds | What's Left
The Rally for Decent Work is about raising standards for everyone no matter where you work. The festival will be Saturday, October 1, starting at Queen's Park.
Chief of Statistics Canada resigns in protest | What's Left
In 2010, former head of StatsCan Munir Sheikh quit in protest over the then Conservative government's decision to scrap the long-form census. Now, Sheikh's replacement, Wayne Smith is also resigning in protest.
Catastrophic wilderness destruction, massive bird population decline, and record low Arctic ice coverage – Everything is not alright | What's Left
The dramatic evidence of human-initiated destruction continues to pile in at the severe detriment of the planet that we depend on for survival.
What's Left 2016-09-18 Volume 74
Catastrophic wilderness destruction, massive bird population decline, and record low Arctic ice coverage – Everything is not alright; Alberta announces $15 minimum wage; Trudeau Liberals continue to ignore Human Rights Tribunal and fail First Nations; Chief of Statistics Canada resigns in protest; Someone is learning how to take down the internet; New EU rules would provide free wi-fi across Europe; Book Review: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead; Left Noise This Week