IATSE Lockout @ CNE / Match Day 25 - Sat, Aug 25th

Hi all,

Apologies if this had already been discussed in more detail elsewhere. I have been searching various threads and have read some comments in the Voyageurs Final 2nd Leg thread. Still, this issue is an important one for me and as such feel deserves its own thread, and chose not to post in the official Match Day 25 thread.

Coming from a union family I personally cannot in good conscience cross the IATSE picket line this upcoming Sat, Aug 25th. This is upsetting as the CNE night games are my favourite to attend. I have read a bit about whether the lockout pertains to just the CNE operations itself, or if there's any effect to the BMO/game day operations. It does appear from some comments that IATSE workers are used for some of the fireworks staging. If someone educated on the matter could help clarify please do. It would also be good to know if MLSE has been involved in hiring replacement workers (scabs) for any game day operations, as it appears they have for the CNE.

It would also be good to know if IATSE is asking those of us who support them NOT to attend the TFC game, or if it just pertains to CNE operations. Again, I know there were some comments re: this in the thread posted above, but I would like more clarification on the matter. If there are ways to both attend and support the demonstrating workers, I would be willing to get involved here.

Obviously this may be a divisive issue politically for many on this thread so I am not asking for RPB to make any sort of statement, rather appealing to those who share my viewpoints and would like to get involved. If you've not yet read anything on the issue check some of the recent news articles below.

Happy Monday,
Kevin

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/201...r-lockout.html

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...kout-1.4782599

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/08/...e-lockout-cne/

I stopped to talk to one of the IATSE guys at one match and took a pamphlet from him. I asked if they wanted us to stand and wait before going on, etc., but he shook his head and said 'it's okay, enjoy the match'. Obviously that sentiment might not go for all of the workers on the picket line, so YMMV.

If you do go and see the picketers, my suggestion would be maybe stop and talk to them, take some of their information about the issue - basically engage and educate yourself and show that you're not ignoring them.

Glad you posted this. My family benefitted a lot from Union representation and I can’t cross the picket line. Even for this important game. Especially because it is a lockout with the express purpose of getting rid of these jobs.

Consider heading down early and spending some time walking the picket line, and then going in. That's what was suggested to me and I'll be doing.

I called their offices just and will be getting a call back hopefully today. Hopefully there will be an opportunity here to attend and support them at the same time...

I thought RPB boards did not discuss politics and such.

Whatever your view, this here is good advice for all disagreements .

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Originally Posted by Stencils

If you do go and see the picketers, my suggestion would be maybe stop and talk to them, take some of their information about the issue - basically engage and educate yourself and show that you're not ignoring them.

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How about this. We don't have a political discussion. But people who want to take an action at the CNE can use this as a resource to know what might be possible. And the rest can move on.

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Originally Posted by Redpunkfiddle

How about this. We don't have a political discussion. But people who want to take an action at the CNE can use this as a resource to know what might be possible. And the rest can move on.

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By now, most everybody knows of the situation from the news and posts here and there in game threads anyways.

I mean this as respectfully as possible, but this thread kinda reads as an attempt to drum up support for a union cause, which hopefully can be understood that some are rubbed the wrong way by it.

Perhaps a simple reminder that some extra time may be needed to enter the grounds because of the strike is all that is needed......

Many here probably feel that info for people who "want to take action" may not be appropriate in a section of "Toronto FC " forum.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ochos

I called their offices just and will be getting a call back hopefully today. Hopefully there will be an opportunity here to attend and support them at the same time...

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I hope you are comfortable sharing the outcome of the conversation.

Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Redpunkfiddle

How about this. We don't have a political discussion. But people who want to take an action at the CNE can use this as a resource to know what might be possible. And the rest can move on.

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Good suggestion. Please no more posts pro or against unions, just information. All for one.

If you guys want to share information, that is fine. But information shared should be totally free of any editorial or opinion commentary, please. Otherwise, this thread will have to go.

As a matter of information, the CNE is saying they are losing money due to the picketing.

I understand a certain % of the population will not cross a line.

Apart from, that, does anybody know if pickets at the gate have been stepped up from what we saw at games prior to now?

So there was a closed door meeting at the City, we don't know what the instructions were, but they have to find some way to mitigate what the CNE is saying is a direct impact on the attendance...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...-ceo-1.4793839

So the pickets are working, good to hear.

Negotiations have resumed, but the lockout has not ended. The pickets will be in place through the Ex in all likelihood.

I didn't even see a picket line for the Voyageurs Cup match. I saw a couple picketing at the NYCFC match, but no line. Seemed more informational than anything.

Is there a picket line now in place?

How involved is the union in TFC matches?

For those that want to support the union in south end, would a TIFO perhaps provide more support than not going?

The picket's ive seen have been when there's something going on at Bud Stage - I'm sure theres some picketing BMO FIELD as well - but kind of assume that previous pickets right out of the go station has been to increase visibility

Agreed on all fronts keeping this non-politicized. My main goal coming to the group was to get information (you guys are more connected than the Spider from Game of Thrones)... It's been surprisingly difficult to get a clear statement on this - I have still not heard back from IATSE.

Given their lack of response, I've personally decided to go attend, converse with the guys on the line and avoid CNE. I've been away most of the season but had penciled this one in as a must-go with several family members. Again, avoiding any sort of politicization, just trying to get an idea of what information has been coming through to make an informed personal choice. Not interested in taking any political stance at the game. At least certainly nothing reflective of the RPB.

Will be good to be back in the stands chanting and looking forward to seeing many of you there.

Best,
Kevin

I am missing my fifth game today because I refuse to cross picket lines. I am frustrated, but obviously this frustration is directed at the John Tory and the exhibition place board.

While IATSE members has indicated that as long as we are respectful about their picket lines they see no issue for attending games - but I have also heard that many of the picketers are themselves SSH that will not be able to attend - and I see no reason why I should.

It appears also that MLSE has hired scabs to work the pyro at games. More reason why I won't be attending, but for those that do, I really encourage some type of banner or tifo in support of locked out workers (RPB section encouraged us to bring our refugees welcome banner to the section years ago, so there is precedence).

Amazing to see Red Action 117 supporters join picket lines instead of the game -> https://twitter.com/iatse58/status/1033501203831783424

And kudos to impact supporters that improvised a tifo in support -> https://twitter.com/iatse58/status/1033536253885440001

So I came to the game with 8 of us in total. We arrived at the GO Station underpass around 6pm but did not see any protesting workers. My family knew I was planning on not participating in the Ex so I walked over to the Princess gates while they did their own thing in the Midway.

When I got to the Princess Gates there was only one or two workers still there. Things seemed to be winding down for the day. I started chatting with one of the workers and eventually found myself talking with IATSE Vice President Morgan Myler. I’m really glad I chose to speak to them all - very engaging and informative. Of course, they want to be working and they’re suffering financially just like the CNE is. One thing I wasn’t fully versed on just how much MLSE stands to benefit in the long term from all this.

Obvously I can’t and do not want to speak for the union, but there’s an intriguing story underneath all the headlines dealing with your typical corporate shenanigans - public land sold off to private interests, a new mega sportsplex proposal on the Ex grounds that would house both the Leafs and the Raptors, a possible casino and the CNE relocating to the Toronto Island... With the CNE looking bad publicly and losing money, it pushes the privatization of the Ex grounds (Exhibition Place) with the eventuality of to developers and corporations. The Ex grounds are after all some of the last remaining real estate in the downtown area that hasn't been developed. So the ironic thing here is that boycotting and hurting the CNE - which itself rents from Exhibition Place - is seemingly pushing the situation towards corporate takeover of the site.

I won't claim to be an expert on this matter. I'm sure some of you on here will be able to shed more light on this. I find it exceptionally interesting and would not be surprised in the least if this whole ordeal has been engineered by MLSE as a way to both takeover public land and ensure lower operating costs (no unions) in their quest for domination. Anyone else with anything to add here would be much appreciated.

Kevin