The railway workers have been ordered back to work and are facing binding arbitration to settle their dispute with the CN and CPKC railway companies. That news has many Canadians breathing a sigh of relief. The week-long service stoppage caused difficulties for many Canadians, never mind the cost to the economy. A long strike would have been a disaster.
I am not against lockouts or strikes. Workers have a right to fight for decent wages and working conditions and employers have the right to lock them out. BUT rights and freedoms have limits. Freedom of speech doesn’t include slander. The rights of your fist ends at my nose. Labour disputees shouldn’t have the right to endanger services that are essential for the safety and security of the public.
Right now, only the RCMP and armed forces are forbidden to strike. The definition of an essential service has become broader since the COVID pandemic. The railway strike has brought attention to the issue. There must be a way to settle labour disputes fairly without endangering essential services.
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Do we lose our sense of humour as we get older? Mine has gone somewhere. I usually see the funny side in most circumstances. This discombobulates people who take everything seriously, but nowadays I’m finding less to laugh about.
MeTV reruns some elderly shows. Last week I decided to watch a few of them. That night’s offering were MASH, All in the Family, Beverly Hillbillies, Ed Sullivan, the Carol Burnett and Dick Van Dyke shows, half hour each. They brought back memories but few laughs. I couldn’t help thinking there are so many Archie Bunkers in today’s society, some in high places, that he’s not funny anymore.
Maybe it’s better to watch the shows with someone. I’ll try that next time.
