Tuesday 29 July 2014

No longer a labour dispute?

We haven’t heard from the picketers, what they want, lately. They are not trying to influence anyone to take their side. They are not talking about how they don’t want to do laundry and wash floors (which is part of their job). They don’t want to do basic pet care (even though study after study shows how pets can improve a person’s physical and emotional state) the staff do not want to put food and water in a dish and scoop kitty litter. It is beneath them.

They have been in the abuse mode for quite some time. Like a parent wrongly accusing a child of misdeeds and punishing them for it. Punishing. Security was told they would have consequences for not playing the game right. A game they get to make up the rules and not tell anyone else, just so that AUPE gets their jollies from whatever they want to do a ‘punishment.’ They stopped a vehicle from leaving because they don’t like the driver. How does that fit in with trying to get what you want in a labour dispute?  

They are not asking for what they want out of the strike. They are not talking about why our last offer wasn't good enough. They are not talking about what compromises they are willing to consider. In the beginning I overhear them saying, they don’t want to wash floors. 

AUPE’s game is to retaliate based on whatever they want.

I haven’t heard the comment, “What do you want? A contract” in a very long time. Maybe because we gave them everything we could and they prefer to be on the picket line. They don’t want a contract now – they want to continue to terrorize and punish.

The yelling is taunting, especially 2-3 members who have NOTHING to do with this labour issue.  Every noise they make is passive aggressive or aggressive to anyone they chose. Two of the people they continue to harass, one is in a wheelchair and has complex health concerns and the other uses a walker and has a brain injury – why are you continuing to target these people? We need to get someone to tell us about how to get restraining orders and then get the police to acknowledge them and protect those who need protecting.

The abuse, the terrorism, the taunting, the bullying is having an effect. I am sure AUPE and the strikers are happy about that. The effect is people's illnesses are getting worse. More symptoms.  More pain.  More fear. More anxiety. The post traumatic stress disorders, if not already affecting members, is imprinting on others. The feeling of being a prisoner in your own home – certainly is a traumatic event that will affect many. The picket line is not being used to further their cause, educate anyone about the striking staffs’ needs, or to strengthen their point of view – it is outright abuse – and the AUPE leader role modelling the pathetic, inappropriate, and dysfunctional behaviour of parent/child attitude and style of management. One who sees themselves as the parent and gets to dish out the punishment; justly or unjustly – it really doesn't matter.

We keep asking why people would do this? It seems so incomprehensible. One idea comes to mind. A step aside here to look at what qualifies as a possible diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder – antisocial personality. (portions derived from DSM is the manual used by clinicians and researchers to diagnose and classify mental disorders. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) will publish DSM-5 in 2013, culminating a 14-year revision process. For more information, go to www.DSM5.org . )

See if these fit: (See the DSM5 for complete list)
• Ego-centrism;
• self-esteem derived from personal gain, power, or pleasure
• Goal-setting based on personal gratification;
• absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behavior.
• Lack of concern for feelings, needs, or suffering of others;
• lack of remorse after hurting or mistreating another.
• by deceit and coercion; use of dominance or intimidation to control others.

Now, no I am not a professional who can diagnosis or suggest treatment – I am just presenting some of text from the book almost all psychiatrists use. I will leave it up to the reader if any of these things ring true from the 3 ‘ring leaders’ we have been exposed to so far in this labour dispute.

And of course the union would suggest the same about our SAIL/Artspace board members or anyone associated with this labour issue. I know for a fact, many of the members have expressed concern for the SAIL staff on the picket line and how they *might* be giving inappropriate or personal information to AUPE to facilitate this strike. Members are concerned that the striking staff may be victims themselves to the cult-like mentality of AUPE.

Members have expressed concern and feel sad when they see the behaviours of staff on the picket line and behaviour that is inappropriate in any setting. Yes, then members have said, they don’t want the striking staff in their unit because of the behaviour and psychological damage striking staff have caused. And that uncaring, abusive, lack of empathy and poor attitude might be what members have to face when the staff comes back. Our members have the right to be scared, cautious and certainly have the right to determine who enters their suite at any time.

There has been so much Canadian news coverage lately about the devastating effects of bullying and the number of suicides because of bullying. And yet, the union is allowed to bully 87 families who live here. Minister Horne, you said you are watching the situation. If you truly are, you would see the psychological abuse going on and intercede and allow for proper physical, social, spiritual and mental health care for our home. You see, many members are so afraid they are not leaving their suites or cannot make it to doctor’s appointments because staff are held up by security. Members can’t get dressed and out the door in time to catch their DATs ride. I know no Minister or even the Premier can stop a strike. Yes, AUPE has the right to strike – but they are not striking – they are terrorizing. This action is no longer about any contract or working conditions. It is about egos on a big high getting off on hurting vulnerable people.

But the consequences of this labour action now going into week 13 need to be addressed.

I am encouraging the Artspace and SAIL boards to bring in mental health professionals before this situation becomes unrecoverable. I would strongly hope Alberta Health Services will cover the cost. Many members are not able to get out to see a doctor or mental health professional because of the intimidation and how their symptoms have worsened. We need help on site to ensure members who are isolated in their suites out of fear of the strikers can get the help they need. We need crisis management team on site to assess the 87 families and staff who are working in the building. These needs to be addressed quickly.

As of right now, it is this writer's belief that AUPE has found a loop hole on how to legally abuse and terrorize a small community in downtown Edmonton. And the elite at AUPE and Edmonton Police Services look away.

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