David Bush

Analysis | October 29, 2023

A ‘humanitarian pause’ in Gaza is window dressing to continue butchery

A humanitarian pause is window dressing. It is not about addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, it is about appeasing the growing worldwide outrage at the brutal siege on Gaza. It is public relations and that is why defenders of Israel support it. A temporary pause in the bombing in reality is about facilitating the ongoing assault on Gaza, not about stopping it.

Feature | October 19, 2023

Why we must resist the right-wing attack on free speech on Palestine

The attack on Jama and Hahn is just the most high-profile attack on free speech for Palestine. This is unacceptable. Workers have the right to voice solidarity for Palestine. The vitriolic attacks must be challenged. If we can’t defend Hahn and Jama from rightwing attacks over Palestine it will send a chilling message to all workers that we can’t speak up about Palestine either.

Feature | September 4, 2023

It’s time for Unifor to be back in the CLC

This labour day, Unifor members will be marching in Labour Day parades across the country. Workers are building unity from below, it is high time labour leadership follows.

Feature | July 7, 2023

Photo of Bob Rae being confronted by union members.

Rae Days: Lessons from the Social Contract 30 years later

The legacy of the Social Contract is one of betrayal. The NDP sold out its union base to appease capital – pleasing no one in the process. If the NDP is ever elected again in Ontario, unions and social movements should learn that class war won’t diminish, it will intensify.

Feature | June 21, 2023

Toronto’s mayoral race: Building on a left opening

The mayor’s race offers a chance to defeat the right, but if we really want to advance the left we need to continue organizing beyond the election in the streets and in our workplaces.

Feature | June 5, 2023

After June 3rd, what’s next in the fight against Ford?

The Enough is Enough campaign presents an opening to build rank and file networks of activists across the province via a shared campaign. It is an opportunity to draw new people into struggle and build real class unity. This is why it should be a top priority for activists inside and outside the labour movement who want to challenge Ford and his big business agenda.

Feature | April 20, 2023

PSAC strikes back against cost of living crisis

If we can build mass solidarity for PSAC members, they can strike and win against Trudeau, expose Poilievre, and give confidence to other workers to fight back.

Analysis | April 13, 2023

Against democracy: A brief history of CSIS

If we want to point fingers at who has undermined democracy in Canada, we should look at CSIS, not China. The spy agency has systematically illegally spied on people in Canada, lied to the courts, destroyed evidence, and engaged in entrapment and rendition.

Feature | March 4, 2023

Combatting Poilievre’s appeal to union members

Poilievre’s polling lead amongst union members results from the frustration with the governing Liberals, the inability of the NDP to offer an alternative and the strategic positioning of Poilievre. This troubling trend speaks to the need for a fighting labour movement outside the confines of parliamentary politics.

Analysis | January 31, 2023

Enough is Enough campaign is an opportunity to take on Ford’s big business agenda

Ontario is in crisis. The stakes are high. We can’t afford inaction, which will only demoralize workers, but open the door to right to push an even more reactionary agenda. We can either roll over and let the bosses win or stand up and say Enough is Enough!

Feature | January 18, 2023

Taking on union corruption from the Left

The left’s response to the OPSEU scandal must counter the big business narrative that unions and union leaders are inevitably corrupt. We have to aim to build the confidence and capacity of rank and file members to not only assert themselves in their unions, but to take on the bosses. The best way to prevent union corruption is to build class struggle unionism from below.

Feature | December 30, 2022

2022: The whipsaw of struggle

The year ahead will see a stark choice about who pays for the current crisis and opportunities for our side to shape the response. The lessons of 2022 is that change can be imposed from above or can be inspired from below.