Burnaby, BC
Apr. 18. ’13.
Last month the Vancouver Jewish Independent wrote an editorial, questioning why CUPW, the union of Canadian postal workers, needed to send representatives to Judea and Semaria, also known as the ‘Westbank’, and also questioning whether they still considered themselves to be a union or some other political entity.
I would personally not have used the same polite language, and would have also asked, what-the-h… their 4 union reps were doing in Brazil (at union expense!) at an Israel-bashing event?…
Shortly after, the same paper posted a letter, signed by a Marion Pollack, raking the editor over the coals, wielding her proud motto of organized labour: "What we wish for ourselves we desire for all." This woman also included a few statements about the local situation that made my blood pressure rise. One sentence in particular got to me: "CUPW believes that postal workers in the occupied territories should not have to cross many checkpoints to go to work, access medical treatment or simply have a meal with a friend."
Really?
I responded to her letter.
In short, I questioned the woman’s sanity. I pointed out that, as a flight attendant, I had to cross checkpoints for decades every time I went to work, compliments of Islamic terrorism. So have millions (Billions?) of others, whether they wish to take a plane in Nadi, Watson Lake or Timbuktu! Not because of nasty Jewish "occupiers" but because of her brother’s terrorism! In Canada the security system at the airports, which also had to be extended to other government buildings, costs $7 Billion annualy. All, including passengers, also spend extra time having to be at the airport earlier. (One of my former colleagues told me last month that he now avoids Heathrow. The crews have to show up 3 hours prior to flight departure!) Multiply those costs and waste of time world-wide!…
Expressing her solidarity with her Palestinian brothers, Marion Pollack never explained why she did not feel the same urge to show her love in other countries, countries which do not share borders with Israel!
I have to admit, whether I held a line position or worked in management, I never had much use for our union or those being enthusiastic about unions. However, I can assure Ms. Pollack, if they had pulled a stunt like using my union dues to further questionable political leanings, I would have organized a small, but memorable uprising!
When the CUPW representatives were over there to teach their brothers about labour laws, collective agreements, health and safety, was there a moment left to talk about human rights and equality of men and women? I bet you not. Because the locals would have kicked their butt off the farm and only after crossing a checkpoint would they have felt safe again…
Maybe Ms. Pollack will write another letter and include an explanation what she and CUPW think about what’s happening in Egypt, Libya and Syria. During a week in which we all saw close up what terrorism looks like, even when people "just" loose a limb, the number 70,000 dead might mean a bit more!…
Ziggy Eckardt
Burnaby, BC