You Can't Scare Me, I'm Sticking with the Union
Crappy photo, sorry
I spent the last week at the CAW (my union)'s Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario. I took a course on Grievance Handling & Workplace Leadership, which I found to be absolutely phenomenal. When you're a lefty unionist, sometimes you feel a little isolated and as if you're fighting for a lost cause; but this past week has re-energised me more than anything I have ever done. While up there, I felt so much solidarity with my brothers and sisters across all industries. It was refreshing to be around like-minded people who actually care about other people; I listened to their stories of lay-offs and trouble in their communities and came out of the experience refreshed and ready to redouble my efforts at making this a better world for all workers as well as disadvantaged and maligned people.
I'm excited to go back to work on Monday and apply some new techniques. I hope my enthusiasm is contagious and gets more people interested in the union and union activities. I will strongly encourage anyone who's interested to take courses up there, as our solidarity in my workplace is weak and needs strengthening.
On a related note, I was told by the wife of our current Regional rep. that she thinks I'd be good for that job once her husband retires in about 6 years. I think this is enough time to get up to speed on most of what I'd need to know, so now I have a goal.
I love this shit so much, and am so ridiculously psyched.
