Shawn Micallef’s “Union dues and don’ts”(Psychogeography, Jan. 28) was timely, justly critical and relevant. The TTC Riders’ Union labour association also bothers me and the time is ripe for a citizens’ movement that represents TTC riders’ interests objectively.

Such a group should propose the following: de-unionizing the TTC to rein in the highest of its annual operating costs, labour expenses. A volunteer committee of businesspeople would provide effective recommendations on cost reductions and capital-investment strategies. A volunteer committee made up of transit riders must be immediately implemented. Micallef hit the nail on the head in pointing out that the “conservative, self-interested nature of unions eventually let down my hometown.”  With a federal government increasingly aloof to Toronto’s infrastructure needs and this city competing for funds with other urban centres, the TTC must proactively make changes now to prepare for a financially tougher long-term. Ultimately, Torontonians need a TTC that works for the city, and not a city that works for the TTC. » Jean-François Obregon


Micallef’s issues with public transportation seem to stem from its treatment as a two-tiered system: the public option has become bureaucratic and chronically under-funded, while the private option (automobiles) has been heavily subsidized. A politically active riders’ union could be the first step in addressing that imbalance. There is a great deal of potential in such an association. For example: it could associate itself with other riders’ unions across the country, and it could begin forming unions in cities where none exist to create a unified municipal voice for greater funding; it could go beyond lobbying and begin fielding candidates for mayoral elections; and it could eliminate the toll and the pass system, and advocate for something like a single-payer transit system. It could turn itself into an urban movement. The history of unions has not always been one of conservatism or self-interest; they were once a source of wide-spread solidarity and change. I share Micallef’s hesitancy, but I look forward to seeing the outcome. » Patrick Gass


The Labour Council represents a lot more people and orgs than just the Amalgamated Trasit Union. If anything, because they support the Riders’ Union, I feel more comfortable knowing that it’s actually trying to improve the TTC instead of being a cover for all the angry folks. Your arguments for not joining really just seem like knee-jerk, anti-union bias. You say you’re disappointed with the CAW, but did you even make mention of the union’s plan (along with David Suzuki and the NDP) for a Green Car Strategy? It’s easy to blame labour and a shame to discount most labour activists’ dedication to improving things.
» Dan (via www.eyeweekly.com)