babble-intro-img
babble is rabble.ca's discussion board but it's much more than that: it's an online community for folks who just won't shut up. It's a place to tell each other — and the world — what's up with our work and campaigns.

Why I will be voting for Hassan Yussuff

Geoff Bickerton
Offline
Joined: May 2 2014
Why I will be voting for Hassan Yussuff

At the upcoming CLC convention we are being offered a choice between leaders who have very different visions for the future of the labour movement. Here are some of the reasons I will be supporting Hassan Yussuff.

1. A commitment to activism. Yussuff has committed himself to strengthen Labour Councils and adopt a more activist orientation for the CLC. We need to strengthen our lobbying activities with mobilization at the workplace and with our allies in the communities.

2. Diversity and respect. Yussuff has devoted his life to making the movement more diverse and inclusive. We need to foster a culture of respect and openness at all levels of the movement including the CLC Headquarters. As president I think Yussuff will be up to the challenge.

3. Unity. Yussuff's experience working with affiliates will be very valuable when it comes to repairing the divisions within the movement.

4. Organizing. Yussuff was and is an organizer.  We need to approach organizing more strategically with more cooperation and less competition between affiliates. Yussuff gets it.
5. Courage to break the slate. Yussuff could have stayed on Ken Georgetti's slate but he didn't. He has taken a big risk because he knows we need real change. I like that. It's time we had more risk takers and change makers.

6. His supporters. I like the people supporting his campaign. Strong endorsements from people like John Cartwright, Lana Payne and Sid Ryan mean a lot to me.

7. His allies. Although there is no slate Yussuff is working with other candidates I greatly respect including Donald Lafleur of CUPW. Donald has played a strong leadership role in many struggles during the 24 years I have worked with him.

8. Politics. Yussuff has the experience and determination to push the NDP to represent the interests of working people and unions.
9. It's about the future. I am happy Yussuff finally broke with Ken Georgetti. Now we have a real opportunity to build a stronger and more active movement. This election is about the future.

10. Yussuff can win. This time we can win and we can actually make a difference. I'm taking it.

And I am thankful to Hassan Husseini.

When Hassan Husseini announced he was running for CLC president I signed up to support him.  I have known Hassan for years and have great respect for him as an activist, intellectual and leader. I was also very impressed with his platform. Hassan has a great group of people supporting him, people I deeply respect. I believe his decision to run is largely responsible for the political opening that now exists.  He is running a principled and thoughtful campaign and for this he deserves everyone's thanks and respect.

However given Hassan Yussuff's progressive campaign and the recent emergence of a Pro Georgetti slate I now believe it is crucial to support Hassan Yussuff for all of the reasons cited above.

The labour movement is clearly at a turning point and I believe it is essential that we turn forward.

Geoff Bickerton
Delegate
CUPE 1979

Comments

sherpa-finn
Offline
Joined: Jun 20 2012

Welcome to Babble, Geoff.  Hope you stick around ....

I have taken the liberty of pasting a copy of your open letter into another thread on the CLC leadership race - just so no one misses it.


routewalker
Offline
Joined: May 3 2014

Cogent arguments.  Progressive change is needed at the CLC, and Hassan Yussuff can make that change. Too often the labour movement lets "perfect" get in the way of  "possible". At this convention, for the first time in years, change is possible. Let's grab it with both  hands.


Unionist
Offline
Joined: Dec 11 2005

tzanchan77 wrote:

Of course you will vote for him, he's a Communist and hates Israel.

Kindly fuck off and stop soiling our home. Fumigation is so costly these days.


alan smithee
Offline
Joined: Jan 7 2010

This douche nozzle is back?

Don't feed the trolls.


lagatta
Offline
Joined: Apr 17 2002

No, flag them.


oldgoat
Offline
Joined: Jul 27 2001

Wow, that was a lot of flags!   Thanks.  he's gone.


Ken Burch
Offline
Joined: Feb 26 2005

lagatta wrote:

No, flag them.

What would the "Troll Flag" look like?  And who would salute it?


Mr. Magoo
Offline
Joined: Dec 13 2002


Ken Burch
Offline
Joined: Feb 26 2005

I don't know why I like it, but I do.


Mr. Magoo
Offline
Joined: Dec 13 2002

Total thread drift:  New Zealanders offered flag shortlist ask: can we have this one instead?

Apparently, kiwis were offered a choice of four new flags and hated all of them.


Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Login or register to post comments