this is sick!

**Rookie Poster** Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 46

can anyone out there tell me what kind of leadership would allow/permit/actively and openly promote the pitiing of groups within the workforce?...how will this in the end benefit any members of the workforce?

i personally like a worksite where respect and trust are the basis for doing business...how about you?

this dispute is now very sick ...

cant anyone see that it is leading only to an ugly situation?..cant anyone else see that tempers are heating up?...cant anyone see that reasoning and logic are being tossed out...and attitudes of strong negative emotion...ridicule...mistrust and bitterness are now clearly in place?...must we wait till hatred and vengence?

do we have to continue in this mode until members of the workforce get seriously hurt?...do we have to cotinue until the people who have crossed the picket line crash due to exhaustion caused by burning the candle at both ends?...do we have to continue until hatred and vengence replaces respect?...do we have to continue till the company is ground to dust?

Who will be the winner then?...i for one see a lot of loosers...both in the leadership and more sadly in the workforce...

isnt it time to end this sickness?...isnt it time for what's left of the level heads to force the parties back to the negotiation table where all this should be...until it is resolved ...be it with or without binding arbitration?

anyone else see...this sickness is quickly becoming terminal?

**Experienced Poster** Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 226

Yes it is sick. Human beings are notorious for this behaviour. That's why this planet is plagued with wars.

**Rookie Poster** Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 48

The Union had the ability to stop the so called fractured workforce by sending everyone back to work once they found out the extent of discontent in Alberta. But the TWU executive as usual did nothing and hoped somebody else will come and save them.

**Experienced Poster** Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 351

"THE GOVERNMENT WILL SAVE US!! THE NDP GOVERNMENT!!.." Rolling Eyes

**Experienced Poster** Joined: 16 Sep 2005 Posts: 106

/agree as per http://www.labourtalk.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?t=300

**Experienced Poster** Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 286

Absolutley Very Happy

Great post!!

The only way to accomplish this for to bring both sides back to the middle.

When we have more people supporting themselves then supporting Telus or the TWU it will happen.

Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:13 pm Post subject:

I agree this whole situation is more than sad & unfortunately the actions of some have gone beyond what is considered respectful, reasonable and even rational behavior.

We all know that there are parties on both sides of this dispute that are equally guilty of this behavior - behavior that more than likely does not accurately reflect the views or positions of the majority of the people involved.

The feelings of hatred, anger & bitterness have been cultivated & carried by some long before this work stoppage began - and though there are many reasons behind it all that we could debate on forever, I personally can't help but look to those who seemed to have planted the seeds & carefully helped nurture these feelings for the last 5 years. I look to those who are quick to blame the company for their failures & poor decision-making instead of accepting responsibility for their own part in all of this. I look to those who twist facts & present untruths with only their personal agendas in mind. I look to those who use every opportunity to manipulate information & events to cultivate fear and uncertainty in those they supposedly represent.....

That being said, IMHO the TWU chose this path for their members without putting much thought or consideration in regards to the possible consequences of their actions. The company for one has never (to my knowledge anyways) promoted the downfall of the union in any way, shape, or form (and yes I already know you conspiracy theorists emphatically disagree so don't waste your breath on letting me know)......I cannot say the same for the TWU - it seems to me that "TELUS busting" is openly encouraged by the union & has been going on for years. Who pays for this of course? We do - no TELUS, no jobs end of story.

Make your own choices & accept the responsibility of those choices. Agree to disagree & treat those around you with respect - whether you think they deserve it or not.
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**Experienced Poster** Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 286

Everyone floating anti TWU slurs has completely missed the point the poster made so well.

The two sides need to get back to the table, how can that happen?

**Experienced Poster** Joined: 16 Sep 2005 Posts: 106

A quick brainstorm on this. I'd say the first step would be establishing some trust between the two parties. A showing of good faith. Maybe the TWU could scrap the revised offer it made, which insulted Telus so much. Telus could make its showing by withdrawing the imposed contract, and removing the escalating lockout measures. If anything, at least it would get people back to work and give them the opportunity to get some cash flowing again as well as get up to date on new processes.

However, the decidedly 'frosty' work climate could make that unfeasible...(however lets not turn this into an I won't work with scabs/I won't work with picketers thread)

So that's a quick idea. Any more? Think that might be too much too fast?

**Veteran Poster** Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 1122

LRN, I'm confident that by withdrawing the BCTel counter offer and tabling a serious counter proposal, the TWU would succeed in bringing TELUS back to the table for serious bargaining. I believe that would be a good faith gesture, and if TELUS refused it, they'd be absolutely clobbered in the press, and by the CIRB.
I doubt this would bring the employees back to work though. As with virtually any walkout/strike, the members stay out until the deal is done. This keeps the pressure on the company to continue bargaining, otherwise what's to stop them from stalling once everyone's back?

**Rookie Poster** Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 46

good replies...

however i would like to point out that it was the company ceo that took us in this direction...it is his job and the rest of the leadership to lead the company on a path that will resolve difficulties....it is his job to promote respect and trust n the workplace...its his job to find a way to work with the union...

the blame must lay soley at his feet...he has been responsible for all the cheap shots...he has acted in a most unprofessional way...instead of taking the high road he has chosen to divide the workforce and promote strong negative feelings between the workplace opposing groups that have arisen...

look at the replies to this post if you dont believe what i am saying...there are now very strong opposing feelings here...must we wait till these feelings manifest themselves into actions causing harm to another worker?

the ceo must accept responsibility for the low road he has taken...

**Veteran Poster** Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 1730

**Veteran Poster** Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 1329

LRN

You have the sanest suggestion that has ever been posted on this site. The TWU revised offer would not even apply if TELUS were to do what you suggest. Unfortunately, DE will not rescind the imposed contract or the lockout measures because he has no intention of bargaining. He wants it his way. He has no respect for any union that would dare oppose him in any way. More than 4 years ago it was impossible to get a grievance resolved because the company refused to do anything at the higher levels in the resolution process. Thats the kind of lack of respect that runs rampant thru the top echelon.

dolphin

The TWU is a lot more than just Alberta. Putting everyone back to work would have meant that the TWU was in fact accepting the imposed contract. Thats the the way the labour code works.

itsmylife

The TWU has, in the past, always encouraged all their members to use TELUS services and tried to get everyone else to do the same - more customers, more work for the members (also more money for the company). Now, its a war. TELUS has become the enemy because of their attempt to shaft the employees and the union.

**Rookie Poster** Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 46

i stand on my points...the replies here and others and other web sites hsows how divided we are...how much bitterness is now reality..

sure we can have our own opinions...but for the sake of the workforce...isnt respect and trust and the ability to disagree the most important aspects of the workplace?

the telus leadership has to accept full responsibility for not being able to work with the union... of which i might point out thea strong majority of workers are in full support of the union...the folks who have crossed are in the minority...contrary to the ceo's statements and actions...

for the best of telus...the ceo has to go...he is the root of the problem...he has not shown any ability to work with the union that represents the workers....he has lost ...his leadership is not going to make the telus future a friendly one....

the ceo has to go...to allow the company to heal and move forward... to building a company where trust and respect are paramount..

let's quit the bs and attacks here eh and recognize the problem where it lies...the ceo has to go

Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:52 pm Post subject:

I fail to see how Telus is responsible for the union's actions. Or are you saying that Bruce Bell will step down in favor of Entwistle as president of the TWU?

The goal of these negotiations was to change the direction of a national corporation, not to placate a union that refuses to grow with the company but rather pines over the past.
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