Cog in the machine...

We got quite a few calls and letters about Mr. Wright's press conference today. The vast majority of folks who complained that the union didn't matter anymore apparently don't understand the difference between the statements

We were under no obligation to negotiate with the unions.

...and Mr. Wright's complete statement, which was

We were under no obligation to negotiate with the unions before we became the employer.

You'll notice in the latter, more complete statement, Mr Wright readily implies an obligation for Onex to negotiate with the unions, even if most panicked listeners blacked out everything he said after "no obligation to negotiate..."

So please, everyone, relax... Onex must enter into "good faith" negotiations with the unions once they've officially become our boss. Then, once they are our legal employer, we can complete the "formal" negotiations process, with or without "labor action" from the unions if Onex chooses to unilaterally implement their changes to our current employment contract.

-- Bill, who sometimes finds the sound of thunder quite soothing...