I read a great story by Reid Southwick of the Telegraph-Journal last Saturday; The Cain inside Abel.
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/actualites/article/394658
The focus of course was Saint John Lancaster MLA Abel LeBlanc, a former union president of 16 years and longshoreman. For some us who have worked within a unionized environment, men like Abel LeBlanc are the guys you want to go to war with, in a manner of speaking. For those who have never worked in a big industrialized area, it can be difficult for people to understand why Mr. LeBlanc is so curt and outspoken. I understand that in some smaller area, the act of unionizing the employees was damaging for a business. But when you play with the big boys, like Irving, Noranda and Bowater, just to name a few, the workers really do need a union.
When you work for those guys you are just a number, a pawn on the game board of industry. Steel-toe boots are not comfortable and neither is working with a gas mask in 90-95 degree temperature. Yes, I agree that salaries are usually good but they do deal with many dangers on a daily basis. Toxic air, flammable substances and high levels of heat and noise are just some examples. When there’s a fire or a gas leak, trust me the white hats go running for cover. These big companies are in business for the all-mighty dollar, not for the welfare of their workers. But somebody has to do the dirty work. The dirty jobs are blue collar work. Somebody has to make the cars, mine the ores, take out the garbage, teach the children, patrol the streets, plow the road, build the houses, buildings, town, cities etc…
Men like Abel LeBlanc are the ones who look out for their peers. Sure he talks tough but if you don’t, you’re just flapping your lips. If I needed back up I’d want a man like Abel at my side. MLAs Margret-Ann Blaney and Bev Harrison are having a field day calling for LeBlanc’s firing. But then again, Blaney is pretty ineffectual unless she’s modeling her new clothes and stuffed-shirt Harrison is way too busy with his Welsh Corgi League, Royal Commonwealth Society and Constitutional Monarchy Association.
How can they judge LeBlanc when they know nothing about what he’s about? The unions of Saint John will not go rioting in the streets and LeBlanc knows it. He wanted to be heard and sometimes, when you want business people to listen to the little guys, you have to be gruff.
We all have our place in this life and Abel LeBlanc has no qualms about his.
Abel did what he felt had to do. Way to go brother!
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/actualites/article/394658
The focus of course was Saint John Lancaster MLA Abel LeBlanc, a former union president of 16 years and longshoreman. For some us who have worked within a unionized environment, men like Abel LeBlanc are the guys you want to go to war with, in a manner of speaking. For those who have never worked in a big industrialized area, it can be difficult for people to understand why Mr. LeBlanc is so curt and outspoken. I understand that in some smaller area, the act of unionizing the employees was damaging for a business. But when you play with the big boys, like Irving, Noranda and Bowater, just to name a few, the workers really do need a union.
When you work for those guys you are just a number, a pawn on the game board of industry. Steel-toe boots are not comfortable and neither is working with a gas mask in 90-95 degree temperature. Yes, I agree that salaries are usually good but they do deal with many dangers on a daily basis. Toxic air, flammable substances and high levels of heat and noise are just some examples. When there’s a fire or a gas leak, trust me the white hats go running for cover. These big companies are in business for the all-mighty dollar, not for the welfare of their workers. But somebody has to do the dirty work. The dirty jobs are blue collar work. Somebody has to make the cars, mine the ores, take out the garbage, teach the children, patrol the streets, plow the road, build the houses, buildings, town, cities etc…
Men like Abel LeBlanc are the ones who look out for their peers. Sure he talks tough but if you don’t, you’re just flapping your lips. If I needed back up I’d want a man like Abel at my side. MLAs Margret-Ann Blaney and Bev Harrison are having a field day calling for LeBlanc’s firing. But then again, Blaney is pretty ineffectual unless she’s modeling her new clothes and stuffed-shirt Harrison is way too busy with his Welsh Corgi League, Royal Commonwealth Society and Constitutional Monarchy Association.
How can they judge LeBlanc when they know nothing about what he’s about? The unions of Saint John will not go rioting in the streets and LeBlanc knows it. He wanted to be heard and sometimes, when you want business people to listen to the little guys, you have to be gruff.
We all have our place in this life and Abel LeBlanc has no qualms about his.
Abel did what he felt had to do. Way to go brother!
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1 comment:
Good one!!!
Keep up the good work!!!
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