Saturday 17 May 2014

Letter to Edmonton Sun reporter.

The following is a letter written by a member to Allison Salz of the Edmonton Sun, in response to her article, Union cries foul over Edmonton care facility lockout.  The article was posted, then updated, on May 17, however the blatant errors have never been corrected - the most blatant of which is right in the headline.  Artspace is not a care facility.  Nor is it, as described in the first sentence, an "assisted living facility."  The entire article is just another example of bad journalism.

The Artspace member who wrote this, like most members, is not a SAIL user, has nothing to do with SAIL, and is just another person who calls Artspace "home."


Re: Article "Union Cries Foul..."
Thank you for covering the issue we are facing as Members of Artspace Housing Co-op in the Edmonton Sun.  I would like to clarify some FACTS which seem to get glossed over.
Artspace Housing Co-op is a private residence.  We are not a facility, long-term care, nursing home or assisted living facility.
Artspace is a co-op with a diverse population of members whose primary goal is to provide affordable housing to people who can live independently.  Some people with physical disabilities or chronic health concerns are able to live independently within the boundaries of the care from a member-driven program where staff are hired to attend to home care needs.  The majority of our members are high-functioning, intelligent and active, not only in our co-op but also in the community (working, volunteering, sitting on boards, enjoying Edmonton's festivals, and so much more).  The union picketer OUR HOME, not allowing members to leave the property or return home without harassment.  (Look that one up - the first time a union pickets a private resident, probably in 100 years history - and that fact is missed.)
In our home, we have a diversity of people including children.  There were reports of union members approaching children and trying to get them (minors) to sign a petition.

[Note: This has been confirmed by the father of a 5 yr old that was approached by a picketer to sign a petition!]
We have been bullied by yelling, rumors spread, detaining/delaying anyone from entering or leaving their private residence, laughing at, teasing in a mean way, swearing, threatening and taunting with such vigor it appears they do intend/or have intended to do harm.
"Bullying is not about anger, or even about conflict.  It's about contempt - a powerful feeling of dislike toward someone considered to be worthless, inferior or undeserving of respect."  I have this quote on file but do not have a source to give you, but I think it captures what we are facing. I have noticed that the staff who are striking have "a sense of entitlement - the right to control, dominated, subjugate and abuse another human being."  In the quotes from the staff that are being printed in the media the staff talk about "their clients" as if they won them.  They also seem to not understand that there are consequences to actions.  A peaceful strike would have been a better choice (and would be following the law).  The extreme negative behaviour during the strike will have consequences.  Just like any other member of society who demonstrated incomprehensible and hurtful behaviours.
The union brought in their striking pros and the devastation in our community is apparent with feeling the verbal and emotional terrorism.  When you hear a staff members say to one of the replacement workers that "your mama should have put a bag over your head when you were born," it is extremely difficult to trust that person to come back into your home, let alone provide personal care.
The unions tactic to not have to picket over the long-weekend was a strategy for them to not pay and schedule their pros over the long weekend.  It had nothing to do with the care of people in our Co-op.  Members needing home care services are getting along just fine.  What wasn't said, was if the staff found the working conditions to be the same, they would return to the picket line after the long-weekend (and after getting paid).
The union and even the staff have NO understanding how independent living people who have control over their lives also have control over who enters their home.  A return to work strategy is required so the members can say who they will allow to help them with the care then need.  The staff do not make that decision - members do.
As citizens we are now so tuned in to teach our kids about bullying.  And the devastating effects.  Well, those kids who bullied in the playground grew up and work for AUPE.  We are bullied and have no 'authority' to go to in an effort to stop the abuse.  It is surreal the union tactics.  And the Labour Board supported the union.  What other authority do we turn to?
Members should have the right to peaceful enjoyment of their home.
Please note: I am not responding to the article on behalf of the Co-op nor of SAIL.  I am a member.  What is said is my opinion not that of any other individual or group.







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