Events of the last couple of weeks, and this one in particular – council’s transit rebellion and the triumph of CUPE 416 in the court of public opinion – have made it clear that the majority of residents are looking for responsible and progressive government, not a right-wing revolution.
What seems to be reasserting itself is that characteristic Toronto mix of fiscal conservatism and social progressivism. In this model, the one we know best, budgets are balanced and, slowly, progressive changes are enacted. At the same time, taxes are kept low, the lowest in the GTA, and debt levels remain below those of most mid-sized and large Canadian and U.S. cities.
Fast-forward to this week. Media observers seem to assume the settlement with CUPE 416 is a Rob Ford victory. It is certainly not a loss. But CUPE 416 and its president, Mark Ferguson, can clearly be credited with an excellent strategy that insures they will remain critical players in city decisions and grassroots politics.
While we don’t know all the terms yet, some job security for employees appears to have been negotiated, and despite all the mayor’s team’s invective about overpaid workers, CUPE members, according to reports, appear to have achieved yearly increases of around 1.5 per cent a year and more or less maintained their benefits.
While the mayor attempted to destroy the local public service unions, at most he was able to wrest minor concessions. But CUPE was savvy, at once fighting to protect the decent quality of life of its thousands of members and their families and reassuring the public that it is committed to controlling costs.
The rejection of the Ford budget and the lead-up to Wednesday’s (February 8) special council meeting on transit, called against the mayor’s will, obviously signal to CUPE 416 that while the debate on privatization isn’t dead, it will be a much more even fight. While 1,000 city employees have lost their jobs, a reinvigorated union movement and a stronger will on council might mean this is the end of major layoffs.
The mayor, on the other hand, can count on bleeding some support from his conservative base. His recent tax increases and failure to remove the land transfer tax, along with his compromise with labour, could well convince true believers that while he is one of theirs, he’s not the guy to get results.
Most importantly, we now know a few times over that the mayor has the wrong skill set for Toronto’s strong council system, which requires the mayor to be a conciliator and good negotiator. Unfortunately, this is not Ford’s style.
With each defeat he brings on himself by refusing to compromise, he strengthens the will of his opponents to let council rule. Community groups will also be reminded that if they can mobilize, council may take up their cause and override the mayor.
The debate around the future of transit could be the greatest defeat of all. Ford’s view of transit, which ignores all expert advice – including a letter released this week by Eric J. Miller of U of T’s Cities Centre and over 100 other notables supporting non-subway rapid transit – has increasingly been shown to be unpragmatic as well as simplistic.
The chief magistrate still has time to reform. This would, however, require a newfound willingness to listen to other opinions. One can hope, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Original Article
Source: NOW
Author: Adam Giambrone
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