MARK-ALAN WHITTLE
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PETROCAN FACES MILITANT UNION

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Hamilton Spectator
It never ceases to amaze me when a militant trade union, such as the paperworkers union (Communications, Energy and Paperworkers -- CEP) cries foul over tactics used by PetroCan to ensure that their business remains viable and able keep their commitments to their customers.
This militant union, more than any other in Ontario, should be cognizant of the fact that they drew first blood and should expect militant treatment in kind by the company.
Most 'bikers' I have read about wear $600 Armani suits while running multimillion-dollar corporations. No need to be driving buses for PetroCan, as claimed by the union. Perhaps they were actors hired for the purpose claimed by the paperworkers' union?
Not being satisfied with the generous settlements already provided to the rest of PetroCan's Canadian operations, the CEP -- in what must be a fit of avarice and greed -- has decided to hold out for more than the rest and fatten their members' pensions to the exclusion of the other PetroCan workers.
More telling of their greed is the dubious $10-million lawsuit to recover loans taken out for the strike.
What sane company would pay someone to beat them up politically? PetroCan should hold firm with resolve and not lower themselves to the CEP's militant level of antagonism.
If the members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union had a good case and a need for improvement, they should practice what they preach, with respect to boycotting PetroCan products for the duration of their labour dispute.
PetroCan is one of many Canadian companies with a lengthy history of fair and just bargaining with their unionized employees.
This would mean parking their SUVs at home and walking to the picket line or taking public transit.
Only then could they take the high road with the public and show cause for their plight.
Everyone has a right to survive
It would seem that some people are absolutely amazed at anyone who looks at, or lives, life in a different manner than as they see fit (namely one M. A. Whittle).
This person's commentary reeks of the whining and complaining of a worried shareholder greedy and totally unconcerned about the effects an uncontrolled capitalist system has on the rest of society.
Working, middle-class taxpayers and other working classes have as much right to survive in a system that caters to big business - take note Mike Harris - as do those who control a larger share of the wealth and cry dissatisfaction. Unionism is a right in this country militancy is a learned characteristic.
If companies - such as PetroCan and other oil companies, banks and many more that report astronomical gains in profit - were not so motivated by greed and power, were as fair to their employees as they are to their management and shareholders, the union would not have a worthwhile purpose to see that its members felt secure in their positions and thrived on an equally continuous basis.
Once again, remember, militancy begins as a tool bred out of necessity for survival, given the examples set by our leadership (management) and enforced by high-profile corporate bullies such as company negotiators and the board of directors, to remain in our generation and generations to come.
You might note the fact that one of the biggest causes in the rise of inflation has been attributed to the oil companies, along with banks and others.
One only needs to look back in history at the start and the middle of the last century, to see what uncontrolled capitalism, with its economic globalization, will lead to.
It will self destruct.
By the way our 1978 SUVs are due for replacement.

In militancy,
Ray Major, Burlington

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