Call for air quality crackdown TheSpec.com - Local - Call for air quality crackdown
Residents slag ministry inaction

Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator

(Mar 7, 2008)

East Hamilton residents, tired of industrial fallout and worried about their health, are demanding the Ontario Ministry of the Environment charge companies that violate air pollution laws.

Jim Howlett, chair of the Hamilton Beach Community Council, told reporters yesterday, "Imagine if we had police downtown who never laid a charge, then tell us people in Toronto or Ottawa say we can't lay charges, we can only hold meetings."

Calling on Premier Dalton McGuinty and Environment Minister John Gerretsen to tell front-line ministry staff to "do your job and do it well," Howlett said, "There's no place that would make a better example than Steeltown."

Meredith Macleod
The Hamilton Spectator
(Mar 5, 2008)

Hamilton's workforce is facing a middle-age crisis.

For the first time, the median age of workers in the area tipped over the 40 mark, landing at 41.1 in 2006, according to census numbers released yesterday by Statistics Canada. The last time the census was taken, in 2001, the median working age was 39.3.

That means there are an equal number of workers over that age as under it. And it's another measure of the advancing years of a labour force bulging with baby boomers heading into retirement and facing a shrinking supply of the young taking their place in front of computers, along assembly lines and behind cash registers.

Two faces symbolize Hamilton's shifting workforce. At one end is the laid-off manufacturing worker well into his or her career, trying to find employment in a sector that is bleeding jobs.

On the other end is the worker embarking on a career in one of the booming areas of the economy.

Some interesting numbers on the housing market in Hamilton. As the article says, house prices have gone up dramatically in the west end and even downtown as investment and professional workers are moving in from the GTA. Its like the traditional manufacturing workers keep getting pushed more and more to the east of town.

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Average home price in local area has jumped 77% in a decade
February 22, 2008
Steve Arnold
The Hamilton Spectator
(Feb 22, 2008)

Realtors just love to tell you there's never been a better time to buy a house.

Prices are down? Buy now because bargains are plentiful. Prices are up? Buy now because things will only get more expensive.

That last part has been especially true across Hamilton in the past decade.

A new package of statistics from Re/Max released yesterday show the average price of a Hamilton-Burlington house rose 77 per cent between 1997 and last year.

A very positive review of Linchpin Issue 1 from Molly's Blog out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Thanks to them for their support!

Broacast Zero interview about the upcoming Common Cause and Anti-War @ Laurier benefit show. Here's an excerpt:

"You say you're involved with organizations like AWOL and Common Cause...who/what are they? Are there any other groups or organizations you're affiliated with, as a band or individuals?

Came across this new European magazine called Resistance Studies Magazine which from a quick glance looks very interesting. The first issue includes an article by Jeffrey Shantz called "Anarchist Futures in the Present."

I came across a number of what seem like rank-and-file run autoworker websites and a newsletter called Live Bait and Ammo. I thought these might be of general interest. The article that follows is the latest issue.

http://www.soldiersofsolidarity.com/index.html
http://www.factoryrat.com/factoryrat/index.php

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Live Bait & Ammo #103: When the union turns against you

I’ve been quiet since the UAW contracts with GM, Ford, and Chrysler were ratified. I’ve been quiet but not inactive. I’ve had my ear to the ground, listening to the sound of a slow train coming.

Workers are stressed. Pressure is relentless. Management adds tasks to jobs already overloaded, speeds up the line, raises rates, runs rampant over work rules, violates seniority rights, disregards production standards, harasses, intimidates, and disciplines. When members call out the union and demand a grievance, more often than not, the rep says, “They can do that. You’re lucky to have a job.”