I think a little application of the Golden Rule would work wonders here for our striking neighbours. Let’s see if we can’t paint a picture of what life would be like in an ideal world:
First thing in the morning our friendly striker gets up, in the dark, and discovers that they have no electricity, water, or air conditioning. No problem though, when they phone the utility they are told, “Just give us 15 minutes and we’ll be right with you.”
At the Tim Horton’s on the way to the picket line, the server smiles sweetly and says, “I’ll be right there, in about 15 minutes.” On the way out of the drive-thru our striker friend can’t proceed because of the car in front whose driver waves and says, “Oh, I’m just taking 15 minutes, I’ll be out of your way soon.’
At the daycare drop-off (whoops, forgot they are on strike too!). Strike that one. (Sorry, horrible pun.)
Pop in to the closest Mac’s to pick up a chocolate bar, and imagine, the clerk is just closing the door - “Back in fifteen minutes,” she says cheerfully.
You can imagine what life would be like for the strikers if they faced exactly what they are imposing on their neighbours and fellow Torontonians. I don’t, unfortunately, believe that the strikers would ever pause to think about the ramifications of their actions. Group-think tends to destroy objective thinking.
So it’s up to you, citizens of this great city: Vote the union friendlies out next time. Or, don’t complain about the stink. The choice really is yours.