Calgary News Watch

The fallout from the bitter transit union and the city of Calgary is just beginning to hit. Morale for union workers with city contracts is at an all time low.

Union leaders have watched the past goings on with the transit union and it doesn’t bode well. The city is currently or will be negotiating an additional four contracts.

While the firefighters aren’t allowed to strike, they’re been without a contract and the city is set to begin negotiating with the paramedics on Monday. The paramedics are not considered essential to the city; they could call for a strike. Read the rest of this article »

Jon Bon Jovi and crew will be rocking the Saddledome during this year’s Calgary Stampede on July 11.

Their latest chart topping single was Who Says You Can’t Go Home, a duet with Jennifer Nettles which climbed the U.S. country charts. The song recently won them their first Grammy; they were previously nominated for two other songs but didn’t win.

The group originates from New Jersey and began topping the charts with their hard rock musical blend back in the 1980s. They have sold over 120 million records worldwide.

Their next album, Lost Highway, is scheduled for release June 19.
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While the loom and doom of this year’s transit strike may well be averted, certainly the bitterness left over from the long 11 month battle will not go away so easily. All is not settled yet; if the union members don’t vote to accept the contract, they can once again give 72 hours notice.

The question remains, what has been learned by all this? In 2001, transit workers went on strike for 49 days. This time was a close call, and may still be.

Negotiations, if effective, should not allow contract talks to reach this boiling point.

As you recall, the beginning of the month brought ads in newspapers with each side slamming the other in turn– a prime example of a toddler’s “She hit me first” excuse. Read the rest of this article »