Union Spirit
While Christopher Shulgan’s depiction of 1980s Windsor as a working-class utopia was bang on (“Requiem for a Union Town,” October), he was way off track in blaming the CAW’s supposed lack of fight for its decline. At the core of the city’s economic slump is the fact that power over investment and trade has been given to corporations, which are not then held accountable to society for the consequences of their decisions. Governments exacerbate the problem by making their financial support of these corporations directly contingent on cost reductions from the union.
Moreover, Shulgan’s claim that the recent contracts with GM and Chrysler are the largest concessions in CAW history is false. When Chrysler went broke the first time, in 1979, our members accepted a 10 percent wage cut and proportional reductions in wage-related benefits. This time, we accepted no wage cut, and fully defended our pensions. Incredibly, Shulgan didn’t even mention our historic fight on this count, which included sponsoring the largest political rally at Queen’s Park in a decade, and the occupation of several MPPs’ offices.
If Shulgan wants proof that our fightback spirit is alive and well, he should go down to the picket line at the Zellers warehouse in Scarborough, Ontario, where over 300 CAW members are fighting hard against an $8 wage cut demand from an arrogant American private equity boss. It may not bring back sentimental memories of the good old days, but it symbolizes the bold fight of today’s modern working class for dignity and security.
Ken Lewenza
Canadian Auto Workers
Toronto, ON
Gag Reflex?
I was disappointed that Nicholas Hune-Brown featured the “Blind Race Start” stunt in his profile of Just for Laughs Gags (“Gaga for Gags,” October). As someone who is losing his sight due to an inherited eye condition, I try to reconcile my experiences in a sighted world with my emerging identity as a blind person. What I’m finding is that this identity is shaped as much by popular culture schlock like JFLG as it is by reality. Thanks to director Jean Kohnen’s depiction of blindness — a motif he returns to time and time again for easy laughs — viewers of the program are encouraged to see blindness as something funny.
Jeff Overmars
Dartmouth, NS
Radioactive
For those of us who still regard the dismantling of CBC Radio 2 as second only to Nazi book burning in reprehensibility (“This Right Here Is Rick Terfry,” October), it is downright Orwellian to suggest that the new format is a success because its plunging ratings are not as bad as anticipated. That’s a bit like saying the economy is improving because it’s still going down the toilet, just not as fast.
Sure, the classically oriented old Radio 2 served a smaller niche market, but it did so better than any other broadcaster, by employing supremely talented presenters, producers, and recording engineers who offered a consistently challenging repertoire.
With this latest makeover, CBC management has chosen to toss out the Wedgwood for Tupperware and retune its once singular and internationally award-winning voice. Now it joins thousands of other mediocre broadcasters in providing what is, by and large, three-chord pablum without a point.
Michael Bean
Gabriola Island, BC
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“The time has come,” The Walrus said, “to talk of many things. Write to us at letters@walrusmagazine.com or 101–19 Duncan Street, Toronto, ON, M5H 3H1. Letters may be edited for length, clarity, and accuracy, and may be published in any medium.
