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harassment from union exec
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harassment from union exec
harassment from union exec
| Author | Message |
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| macaskill |
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 2:28 pm
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Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 2 |
Just read articles by a Dr Janice Harper on systemic workplace harassment, which generally turns into mobbing situations. She observes that the same psychology and techniques were employed by the Nazis and argues that no individual can defend herself against genocide, the only solution is to get out and be glad if you do so with your life and remnants of dignity. Here is the link: http://bullyinworkplace.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/can-you-survive-the-office-witch-hunt/
I agree that mobbing is a sort of group bloodlust that can only be satisfied by increasingly savage attacks aimed at eliminating the target(s) and have seen it happen before. But sometimes salvaging self-respect in such circumstances can depend on putting up a fight. You could feel more motivated to take action than give up on your job at 57 than at 32, and if you pay dues to a union today you have a right to expect protection from harassment. New policies are stringent. But what if your union executive are the chief harassers? In Ontario it’s hard to find support from provincial bodies such as the Labour Board or the Human Rights Commission. In the end you are stuck with dealing with your union if you don’t have a sympathetic management to turn to. Within cupe my experience is there’s no mechanism to lodge a harassment grievance against one’s local. The regional rep is the farthest you go. These change often and have no in-depth awareness of the locals and their issues. They tend to go along with whatever the executive asks. The one likely mechanism, the “duty of fair representation” covers a narrow range of grievances and excludes issues of gross negligence, obstruction and harassment. I work in a small 905 area public library where the executive are negotiating with management to eliminate long-term experienced PT staff in exchange for benefits for their own small elite. In 11 years I have had two short-lived episodes of involvement with the union, both on contract negotiation committees. Years ago I tried to get standard clauses limiting management rights, a fair seniority system and other improvements for the majority PT bargaining unit. I was subjected to extended and primitive abuse. With the contract coming up in 2012 I simply volunteered (our bargaining unit is too dysfunctional to have elected members) for the new NC until someone who wanted the job might appear. For one day of participating I again became a target of vicious attacks by the executive. Cupe Ontario referred me to our own regional rep overseeing the bargaining, who predictably said I had no recourse but to make a complaint to library management. Has anyone had a similar experience with harassment from a corrupt local and been able to do anything about it? Can someone recommend a GTA labour lawyer I could consult? |
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| SharynS |
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:19 pm
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Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 2939 Location: the 'puter |
Welcome to uncharted macaskill.
I seriously hate to bring the hammer down on you this quickly, but duplicate threads and posts are not allowed. (Posting guidelines) First offence no biggie and we'll let off with a warning eh  This thread will be locked since the topic has already been started and responded to over here.
Good luck with your battle. _________________ Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. - Salman Rushdie |
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