Precarious workers
Fast food workers go on strike in their thousands in nearly 60 U.S. cities, protesting low wages and bad working conditions. Is Canada next? Jerry Dias, head of newly formed Canadian union Unifor, earned his stripes organizing fast food workers.
Bike parking
Queen West between Gladstone and Markham is pegged to get 187 new bike parking spaces under a pilot project launched by Transportation Services’ cycling infrastructure unit, a 30 per cent increase. Woot!
Democracy rewind
Lost in Doug Ford’s rant last week over council’s decision to appoint someone rather than hold a by-election to fill Doug Holyday’s vacated seat: the fact that his replacement will be elected by council in a ranked ballot runoff.
More Porter lies
Airline honcho Robert Deluce pulls another fast one 24 hours before public consultations on his plan to fly jets out of Billy Bishop. He now says the airport’s runway will have to be extended by an additional 200 metres at each end to accommodate jets.
Mideast politics on the TTC
Plans by a Montreal-based pro-Palestinian group to buy ad space on the TTC rankles Israel government supporters. The TTC says it has no legal authority to refuse the ads. Read Ben Spurr’s story at nowtoronto.com.
Richtree
The upscale natural food resto closed its Eaton Centre outlet in January, laying off 50 workers. According to Unite Here Local 75, the move was made to avoid a unionizing drive. The shop is scheduled to reopen steps from its former location in the mall next week with non-unionized staff.
