Greater Toronto Workers’ Assembly
July 16 -17 2010
The 4th gathering of the Greater Toronto Workers’ Assembly will be held this July 16 -17 2010!
The Workers’ Assembly will have 3 Components This post provides details on each component followed by registration information :
1. Friday July 16th (Evening) is a public forum on the Free and Accessible Transit Campaign. This event is open to the public. No registration required.
2. Saturday 17th (Morning) is an internal Assembly meeting. This event is for members and supportive observers only. Registration required. See bottom of email for registration info..
3. Saturday 17th (Afternoon) is a discussion on the G 20: its’ meaning, and how to build strategic campaigns of resistance against its’ international policies here in the city. The discussion is for members and supportive observers of the Assembly. Members and observers are welcome to bring guests. Registration required.
The suggested contribution to the Assembly is $10/ PWYC (Lunch will not be provided). Contributions will be collected on Saturday.
Childcare subsidy provided to members with prior notice. If required email workingclassfightback@gmail.com in the subject line of the email write "chidcare subsidy"
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FRIDAY JULY 16th 2010
Public Forum: What do you think about A Free and Accessible TTC?
7:00-9:00 PM
Room 248, Galbraith Building
University of Toronto
35 St. George Street (St. George and College)
With Speakers:
-Deb Cowen, U of T Professor of Geography
-Franz Hartmann, Toronto Environmental Alliance
-Karen Sun, City Council Candidate for Ward 19
-Kamilla Pietrzyk, Workers’ Assembly
& Open Discussion to Follow.
Mass transit is an essential pillar of our city’s public infrastructure, yet our transit system is among the least “public” public systems in the world. Transit systems in other big cities receive generous subsidies to cover their operating budgets. Such policies reflect an understanding that accessible and effective mass transit infrastructure is a public good, not simply a commodity like any other. Accessible, effective mass transit is part of our broader vision for our community. This vision includes vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods; clean air; participatory politics; equitable distribution of resources; and public space where we are free to speak, gather, play, create, and organize. We want to build an understanding of transit users not simply as consumers of a commodity, but as members of a public entitled to participate in conversations about the kind of city we want to live in.
The city is ripe for a public discussion about mass transit. People are upset about the fare hikes and the impact of the provincial budget on transit expansion plans. If we build an effective campaign around free transit, we could help to shape and focus this discussion to include an analysis of public goods, public accountability, and the failures of the prevailing market orthodoxy. A free transit campaign has the potential to be a popular movement with clear and tangible links to the daily experiences of low-income people and workers. Through a free transit campaign, we would assert our right as members of Toronto's community – not as consumers – to participate in decision-making and to access public infrastructure. We would put people's rights and environmental justice ahead of narrow market interests and the rights of corporations.
Please join us for this important discussion on moving this campaign forward.
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SATURDAY JULY 17th 2010
4th Assembly Gathering: The Greater Toronto Workers’ Assembly
Registration Required (see bottom of email)
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Room 1160
Bahen Centre for Information Technology, University of Toronto
40 St. George St. (Just South of Russell)
Members of the Greater Toronto Workers’ Assembly will convene to discuss various issues in building the organization. Several key motions will be considered and voted upon. (There will be additional motions put forward at the conclusion of the G 20 discussions in the afternoon.)
Tentative Agenda:
08:30 - 9:00 Registration
09:00 - 09:30 Welcome and Committee Reports
09:30 - 10:30 Policy on Conduct and Discrimination (motion,discussion, vote)
10:45 - 12:00 Elections, and the Role of the CC (motion, discussion, vote)
12:00 - 12:30 Finances & Fundraising
12:30 – 2:00 PM LUNCH
Note: Assembly deliberations are restricted to members. Non-members may only observe the proceedings.
2:00 – 5:00 PM Open Discussion on the G 20
This event forms the afternoon session of the 4th Greater Toronto Workers' Assembly. Members and supporters are encouraged to bring guests from their respective organizations and communities.
Agenda:
2:00 - 3:00 PM Panel Discussion
David McNally on the G-8/G-20 Agenda
Kelly O’Sullivan on the labour movement and its relationship to the G-20 mobilizations and its larger agenda
Saron Ghebressallassie on state repression and solidarity
Mary –Jo Nadeau on the police repression and the Toronto Call;
3:00 - 3:30 PM Group Breakouts
3:30 - 4:30 Plenary Discussion
4:30 - 4:45 Assembly Resolutions:
As part of the final business of the day for the Greater Toronto Workers’ Assembly, 3 motions relating to the G20 will be put forward:
1) Proposal that the Assembly form a new committee to organize around legal defense and the defence of civil liberties.
2) Endorse the Toronto Call.
3) Agree to organize a larger forum on the G-20, to be held in August.
4:45 – 5:00 PM Final Thoughts & Wrap – Up
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REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Members and supportive observers are required to register prior to the Assembly in order to attend.
Members may register at the door (though they are asked to be nice and pre-register over email). Non members who would like to attend as observers MUST PRE-REGISTER. The Assembly reserves the right to deny admission to non-members who do not pre-register.
In order to register send an email to: workingclassfightback@gmail.com
In the subject line write: Registration
If you are attending as a member include the following:
1. Name
2. Accessibility Concerns?
3. Medical Concerns?
4. Will you be bringing guests to the G20 discussion? If so, how many?
If you are attending as an observer:
1. Name
2. Contact email (please note if you want to be added to our info list for members and supporters) and phone.
3. Organization(s)
4 Where did you find out about the Assembly?
5. Accessibility Concerns?
6. Medical Concerns?
7. Will you be bringing guests to the G20 discussion? If so, how many?
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Questions? Contact: workingclassfightback@gmail.com
Are you a supporter and want to attend as a member? Visit: http://www.workersassembly.ca/join