CUPE Local 79 president Ann Dembinski recent statement (quoted in the Globe and Mail) about Miller only pretending to be the union’s friend provides some insight into the drama unfolding.

The Mayor must have known for some time that his popularity was dropping. Recklessly increasing taxes during a recession does not endear people to you. So to boost his popularity the Mayor pretends to be tough with unions that will create the loudest outcry from residents and generate a lot of press. Firefighters? Police? No, they are essential services and cannot strike. Hmmm…garbage workers! The stench of rotting trash in the summer drives people crazy. By the way, the labour unions want Miller to be re-elected. Regardless of the current charade, David Miller really has been and will continue to be their friend.

Maybe our feckless David Miller should stop acting like he cares about Toronto taxpayers. People have seen this overused ploy before and know how this performance turns out…taxes go up, services go down. When this strike ends Mayor Miller will hoist himself onto his white horse and give a “I am a hero for ending this terrible strike” speech and hope and pray most Torontonians will not recall who got us into this mess in the first place, at least not until after the 2010 election.