Hamilton Protest Brings 10,000 into Streets

But was anyone listening to their message?

by Gordon Sova (gordon.sova@thomsonreuters.com)

There were two demonstrations on the news this weekend; one was in Cairo and one was in Hamilton.

In the neighbourhood of 10,000 union members and sympathizers rallied in Hamilton, Ont. on January 29 in support of the 900 locked-out employees of U.S. Steel.  They were locked out after they refused to accept a company offer that included a two-tier wage grid, a defined-contribution pension plan for new employees and the end of indexing for pension benefits.

A long article on the rally in the Hamilton Spectator on Saturday was full of nostalgia for the power of the Steelworkers in bygone days.  Everyone interviewed seemed to agree on one point: that power is gone.

For the labour movement, the ability to put 10,000 bodies in the street has got to be acknowledged.  But what did they hope to achieve by this?

Clearly, it was not to force U.S. Steel to withdraw its concessions.  They’re not going anywhere.  Given the ability of the company to produce steel in other places to supply the Canadian market, the economic leverage to make them back down isn’t there.

A lot of the message was directed at Ottawa.  Speakers demanded tightening of foreign investment rules.  But that train has already left the station.

As a demonstration of solidarity, the rally certainly has its value.  But despite the example that is drawn from bravery in the face of adversity, it’s nice to have a few victories to boast about, too.  And they have not been numerous of late.

Which brings us back to Cairo, which by all indications will end in a victory for the protesters, at least up to the day the next government is formed.  Sometimes the courage of the underdog is rewarded.