Firefighter contract dispute going to arbitration
Vancouver/CKNW(AM980) 4/29/2008
The head of the Vancouver firefighters union says the city is taking their contract dispute to arbitration - something Rod MacDonald says could cost taxpayers upwards of one-million dollars because there are 20 to 30 outstanding issues.
MacDonald says the city is offering a wage hike of 13% over 5 years, which is 4-and-a-half per-cent below the Cupe settlement last summer. The city's 800 firefighters have been without a contract for over a year.
On another subject, MacDonald says fire engines are still using their sirens in yaletown - contrary to the silence the mayor wanted several months ago. "I don't want this day to turn into another debate on something as silly as the sirens and the use of it. But there's no explicit directives come down from the fire chief himself and the status quo remains."
For a Good Cause:
2008 Greater Vancouver Hall of Flame Charity Calendar
The Greater Vancouver Fire Fighters featured in this years calendar appear at various fundraisers all with the purpose to promote the calendar in support of the Burn Fund and various other charities including the CKNW Orphan's Fund.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Domestic Violence in BC
I’ve been thinking a lot about domestic violence lately. Both because of the different media reports and also my own experiences, as a professional and individual.
As a woman, I’ve had my share of friends, loved ones and even myself experience domestic discord, control and violence. It really can happen to anyone, no matter your race, education, socio-economic relationship. I truly believe we are not invulnerable and are one bad relationship away from a nightmare of abuse by a partner.
In one situation I know of, after many instances of verbal abuse, if you can believe it, the male aggressor calls the police. They attend the home. He is considered the victim, the complainant. After speaking with the male for ten minutes, hearing who knows what and barely speaking to the female for less than five minutes, the attending officers clear the call and while the woman is crying and asking for help, the officers leave the home, without taking the time to ask her if she needs help, or assessing the situation properly. If they had simply asked a couple of questions, they would have found out that in fact just before they arrived, the male had dragged her by her clothing, was threatening to hit her and had pushed her, an escalation in verbal abuse, leading to physical aggression, leading to assault. Why didn’t the woman report these things immediately? She was in shock and the attitude and demeanor of the attending officers was dismissive, and perhaps abusive towards her. In fact they told her that the male was the complainant and since they had his story and he was okay, they were done. After the police left, the woman reports the man tells her later in the day he will kill her if he remains in the home. And he spends the next while continuing to threaten her, escalating towards her and psychologically abusing her by intimidating her and telling her often “see, I told you I had rights.”
Those police officers failed that woman and they put her at-risk. As well as the child, who was home and exposed to this violence and aggression. The woman is forced to live with the man, as he continues to escalate towards her. There is nowhere to go. She has learned that the police will not protect her, or even listen to her. There are few shelters, some places have none. It isn’t even his home, but he won’t leave. So she is trapped in a situation where he could quite possibly kill her. And there is no help, beyond her small efforts to resist and create safety plans for herself and the child.
There are so many issues that come up, things are rarely cut and dried. I think one of the biggest that I see is the lack of training of police, lawyers and the Crown in matters of domestic violence, mental health, and violence risk assessment.
Like many frontline professionals, their workload is so high. Some may see this as a cop out, but as a professional on the frontlines, I have observed and experienced the cost of a high workload. What often happens is workers, who already have to numb and detach to see the horrors they see daily, begin to miss even glaring instances of dysfunctional and dangerous situations. It all just blurs into “one more call” to be cleared. One more report to be signed off. Because the reports and calls come quicker than anyone can possibly handle. With inadequate staffing and training, with a lack of experience, overwork and lack of proper supervision frontline staff make mistakes, make poor clinical judgments and decisions. And sometimes, this leads to a loss of life. The reports and statistics are there. Whether that is in reports from the Representative of Children & Youth, or murders of children by parents, murder-suicides. There is no need for any more government funds, or any others to be spent on reports, studies, or analysis. It is time to act and provide meaningful intervention, services and supports to families impacted by violence.
Domestic violence is not a racialized issue. Violence against women and children happens in every ethno-cultural community. The shame, betrayal and fear are universal for all victims and silence is reinforced by systemic failure to help victims. This is a gendered issue. I remember feeling shocked and horrified when listening to the Women’s committee at a very large labour gathering discuss the issue of domestic violence without every explicitly stating that it was violence by men towards women that was occurring. I actually felt betrayed and saw how structurally significant this was. That right there in the house of labour, supposedly a more equitable place where social justice was worked on, in solidarity, that these powerful woman leaders were placating and avoiding naming the violence and the perpetrators of the violence, as it is certainly uncomfortable to do so. I felt that those women betrayed every woman in that convention centre and all of the women around the world who are hurt, maimed and sometimes murdered by men, often those closest to them. Because, that silence allows it to continue. The lack of self-awareness and self-reflection of men, individually and amongst themselves allows violence towards women and children to propagate and be ever more reinforced. Men are the biggest part of the solution and we need men to stand up and say to each other they will not tolerate abuse, or violence towards women and children.
It would be easy to write this off as a man-bashing piece. It isn’t though. To the extent of the violence we see towards women, many of us can see and acknowledge the deep pain, anguish and suffering of men. Most of the time, that pain goes back to their childhood, where they were often unwitting and powerless witnessed to domestic violence in their own families. Many men are in desperate need of therapy, to feel understood, wanted, loved and protected themselves. Our yearnings as human beings are universal. Most of the time those yearnings are at the heart of these terrible acts of violence. Often part of the pattern in spousal murderers of the desperate need women have to leave their abusive partners, before they lose their lives. And as this leaving takes place, incrementally, these men become more and more mentally ill, driven by an unconscious, deep feeling of betrayal, fear and desperation not the be rejected and abandoned by their wives, often their only significant relationship in the world. Some men are narcissists, believing their children to be mere parts of themselves, under their control. Without the promise of the continuing “devotion” and attention of female partners and children, they may be driven to ever more extreme attempts to control their relationships and their environments. A very few might have psychotic disorders, or be psychopathic. Most, really are men driven to the extremes of their own pain and fear at loss of family connections and a lack of knowledge of where to get help and the deep shame of being unwell and requiring help. Many men are socialized to feel shame at their own feelings from childhood. Many learn to stuff it all down and mask it, alcohol, drugs, violence towards other, numbing, detachment from relationships.
It comes out eventually, as family members know.
Another issue that occurs for me is a complete lack of accountability for decision-making on the part of police officers attending domestic violence calls, as well as decisions to release abusers by the courts, or for the province for that matter. The inquest in Victoria is a brilliant example of that. Or the murder of the three children in Merritt. In both of those cases the police advocated for the abusers to be kept in jail. They both should have been and psychiatric assessments with complete violence risk assessments completed. If that was done, it is quite possible their children might be alive today. When women tell police, or the courts that they fear for their lives and don’t know how to keep themselves safe, perhaps the authorities might consider listening to that. Especially since most women experience years of escalating abuse before they come into contact with the authorities. And, often, as in the two cases I’ve referred to above, both abusers had previous, or current history of aggressive, or violent behaviour towards their spouses, or others. I think it may be time that some accountability is built into the criminal justice system. It is time for decision makers to be put on the stand to explain why they made decisions to release abusers. These aren’t just random acts of violence, or tragedy. Many of these incidents are preventable, that is if there is a public will to prevent them. Maybe victims, or their children, should start filing civil suits for negligence. All of these systems (police, courts) have a well-established duty of care, a solid principle in civil society and the courts. Sadly, it seems only when mistakes, errors and negligence have the potential to cost the authorities a lot of money do the “powers that be” make any significant changes. Just before the Honourable Wally Oppal became the Attorney General in 2005, at a First Call community advocacy meeting, I presented him with a verbal and written submission of changes and improvements I thought were necessary within the youth and adult criminal justice system. One of the most important I specified were increasing the funding to therapeutic services for male abusers. I was there speaking as a person who had been working in the child welfare system and in the community for over two decades by then, in various capacities. I was also speaking as a woman and as a citizen.
How to Improve & Change
It all starts with accountability, with structurally building equality into systems. It starts with creating and implementing public policies that enable families to obtain timely and meaningful intervention. Programs and shelters for women and children to leave family violence. Income assistance with no run around, so women are not financially at the mercy of their partners, which is so often the case. With police and court systems placing the highest priority on safety and protection from abusers. Training and professional development of police officers, Crown prosecutors, lawyers and judges. No tolerance for domestic violence from the police, from the courts. Lock abusers up, keep them in general population. There is something to be said for the natural justice of the treatment abusers experience in jail. Sounds primitive and lacking in compassion? I guarantee you the natural consequences of abuse and violence against abusers by other criminals will act as a deterent as it appeals to the deep self-interest and egocentric nature of many abusers. Abusers should receive much stronger and longer sentences, with mandatory violent offender treatment in prison. No mickey mouse programs, serious treatment, with evidence of progress and a shift towards understanding one’s behaviour, being accountable, or you do not get out. Restorative justice programs, where abusers and victims have an opportunity to be heard and take responsibility for behaviour.
Individual and group therapy for male abusers, in the community, especially early intervention services, prior to a serious escalation. Family therapy that is widely available and accessible to families from diverse socio-economic levels. Many victims of domestic violence truly do love their partners, but they fear for their lives and cannot tolerate abuse any longer. If meaningful family therapy was offered, many families would be able to receive the intervention and support they require to either safely reunite, or can separate in a less abusive way.
As a social worker, I have personally witnessed the amazing and humbling transformation of previous abusers so that families can remain intact after acts of abuse and violence. It really can change a person and a family to have an abuser understand their own pain, trauma, and abuse and consciously give up violence and control to join and connect in a more loving, caring and deep way with family members. These are just a few ideas, but they offer a start. I’m sure those working in this area of practice can offer much more than I can. I hope that we can all take a step forward and learn from mistakes, errors and tragedies of the past to create a better future for all families and create a much more civil society where we can all be safe and protected.
******
Call for new law to protect kids: Call it 'Cordon's Law' after youngest Merritt victim, lawyers suggests
By Neal HallVancouver Sun, April 18, 2008.
Keeping Women Safe: Eight Critical Components of an Effective Justice Response to Domestic Violence
New Recommendations Could Save Lives of Domestic Violence Victims
BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Services
Date: April16, 2008.
In any community, the critical components of a framework for an effective, specialized response to domestic violence must include effective, inclusive approaches to:
1. Managing risk and victim safety – including a comprehensive, coordinated approach to risk and safety assessment and victim safety planning
2. Offender accountability – including appropriate and consistent sentencing, consistent enforcement of protection orders, and accessible treatment for abusers
3. Specialized victim support – including comprehensive, proactive, and timely support with outreach and access for marginalized groups
4. Information-sharing – including consistent, timely information-sharing between agencies and with the victim, with particular emphasis on high-risk cases
5. Coordination – including coordination and collaboration at all levels among all relevant sectors, senior level leadership, and resources to adequately support a coordinated approach
6. Domestic violence policy – including adherence to a comprehensive justice system policy that applies to all justice system components and requires a consistent andinformed approach to charging, prosecution, and offender accountability
7. Use of specialized expertise – including specialized approaches such as dedicated justice system personnel and dedicated court time, adequately funded specializedtraining, and if they are considered an option, a carefully considered and principled approach to domestic violence courts.
8. Monitoring and evaluation – including monitoring and evaluation as an integral part of all the foregoing critical components and a systematic, comprehensiveapproach to collection, analysis, and publication of statistics across all justice system components.
http://www.endingviolence.org/files/uploads/NewsReleaseKeepingWomenSafe.pdf
BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs (BCASVACP)
As a woman, I’ve had my share of friends, loved ones and even myself experience domestic discord, control and violence. It really can happen to anyone, no matter your race, education, socio-economic relationship. I truly believe we are not invulnerable and are one bad relationship away from a nightmare of abuse by a partner.
In one situation I know of, after many instances of verbal abuse, if you can believe it, the male aggressor calls the police. They attend the home. He is considered the victim, the complainant. After speaking with the male for ten minutes, hearing who knows what and barely speaking to the female for less than five minutes, the attending officers clear the call and while the woman is crying and asking for help, the officers leave the home, without taking the time to ask her if she needs help, or assessing the situation properly. If they had simply asked a couple of questions, they would have found out that in fact just before they arrived, the male had dragged her by her clothing, was threatening to hit her and had pushed her, an escalation in verbal abuse, leading to physical aggression, leading to assault. Why didn’t the woman report these things immediately? She was in shock and the attitude and demeanor of the attending officers was dismissive, and perhaps abusive towards her. In fact they told her that the male was the complainant and since they had his story and he was okay, they were done. After the police left, the woman reports the man tells her later in the day he will kill her if he remains in the home. And he spends the next while continuing to threaten her, escalating towards her and psychologically abusing her by intimidating her and telling her often “see, I told you I had rights.”
Those police officers failed that woman and they put her at-risk. As well as the child, who was home and exposed to this violence and aggression. The woman is forced to live with the man, as he continues to escalate towards her. There is nowhere to go. She has learned that the police will not protect her, or even listen to her. There are few shelters, some places have none. It isn’t even his home, but he won’t leave. So she is trapped in a situation where he could quite possibly kill her. And there is no help, beyond her small efforts to resist and create safety plans for herself and the child.
There are so many issues that come up, things are rarely cut and dried. I think one of the biggest that I see is the lack of training of police, lawyers and the Crown in matters of domestic violence, mental health, and violence risk assessment.
Like many frontline professionals, their workload is so high. Some may see this as a cop out, but as a professional on the frontlines, I have observed and experienced the cost of a high workload. What often happens is workers, who already have to numb and detach to see the horrors they see daily, begin to miss even glaring instances of dysfunctional and dangerous situations. It all just blurs into “one more call” to be cleared. One more report to be signed off. Because the reports and calls come quicker than anyone can possibly handle. With inadequate staffing and training, with a lack of experience, overwork and lack of proper supervision frontline staff make mistakes, make poor clinical judgments and decisions. And sometimes, this leads to a loss of life. The reports and statistics are there. Whether that is in reports from the Representative of Children & Youth, or murders of children by parents, murder-suicides. There is no need for any more government funds, or any others to be spent on reports, studies, or analysis. It is time to act and provide meaningful intervention, services and supports to families impacted by violence.
Domestic violence is not a racialized issue. Violence against women and children happens in every ethno-cultural community. The shame, betrayal and fear are universal for all victims and silence is reinforced by systemic failure to help victims. This is a gendered issue. I remember feeling shocked and horrified when listening to the Women’s committee at a very large labour gathering discuss the issue of domestic violence without every explicitly stating that it was violence by men towards women that was occurring. I actually felt betrayed and saw how structurally significant this was. That right there in the house of labour, supposedly a more equitable place where social justice was worked on, in solidarity, that these powerful woman leaders were placating and avoiding naming the violence and the perpetrators of the violence, as it is certainly uncomfortable to do so. I felt that those women betrayed every woman in that convention centre and all of the women around the world who are hurt, maimed and sometimes murdered by men, often those closest to them. Because, that silence allows it to continue. The lack of self-awareness and self-reflection of men, individually and amongst themselves allows violence towards women and children to propagate and be ever more reinforced. Men are the biggest part of the solution and we need men to stand up and say to each other they will not tolerate abuse, or violence towards women and children.
It would be easy to write this off as a man-bashing piece. It isn’t though. To the extent of the violence we see towards women, many of us can see and acknowledge the deep pain, anguish and suffering of men. Most of the time, that pain goes back to their childhood, where they were often unwitting and powerless witnessed to domestic violence in their own families. Many men are in desperate need of therapy, to feel understood, wanted, loved and protected themselves. Our yearnings as human beings are universal. Most of the time those yearnings are at the heart of these terrible acts of violence. Often part of the pattern in spousal murderers of the desperate need women have to leave their abusive partners, before they lose their lives. And as this leaving takes place, incrementally, these men become more and more mentally ill, driven by an unconscious, deep feeling of betrayal, fear and desperation not the be rejected and abandoned by their wives, often their only significant relationship in the world. Some men are narcissists, believing their children to be mere parts of themselves, under their control. Without the promise of the continuing “devotion” and attention of female partners and children, they may be driven to ever more extreme attempts to control their relationships and their environments. A very few might have psychotic disorders, or be psychopathic. Most, really are men driven to the extremes of their own pain and fear at loss of family connections and a lack of knowledge of where to get help and the deep shame of being unwell and requiring help. Many men are socialized to feel shame at their own feelings from childhood. Many learn to stuff it all down and mask it, alcohol, drugs, violence towards other, numbing, detachment from relationships.
It comes out eventually, as family members know.
Another issue that occurs for me is a complete lack of accountability for decision-making on the part of police officers attending domestic violence calls, as well as decisions to release abusers by the courts, or for the province for that matter. The inquest in Victoria is a brilliant example of that. Or the murder of the three children in Merritt. In both of those cases the police advocated for the abusers to be kept in jail. They both should have been and psychiatric assessments with complete violence risk assessments completed. If that was done, it is quite possible their children might be alive today. When women tell police, or the courts that they fear for their lives and don’t know how to keep themselves safe, perhaps the authorities might consider listening to that. Especially since most women experience years of escalating abuse before they come into contact with the authorities. And, often, as in the two cases I’ve referred to above, both abusers had previous, or current history of aggressive, or violent behaviour towards their spouses, or others. I think it may be time that some accountability is built into the criminal justice system. It is time for decision makers to be put on the stand to explain why they made decisions to release abusers. These aren’t just random acts of violence, or tragedy. Many of these incidents are preventable, that is if there is a public will to prevent them. Maybe victims, or their children, should start filing civil suits for negligence. All of these systems (police, courts) have a well-established duty of care, a solid principle in civil society and the courts. Sadly, it seems only when mistakes, errors and negligence have the potential to cost the authorities a lot of money do the “powers that be” make any significant changes. Just before the Honourable Wally Oppal became the Attorney General in 2005, at a First Call community advocacy meeting, I presented him with a verbal and written submission of changes and improvements I thought were necessary within the youth and adult criminal justice system. One of the most important I specified were increasing the funding to therapeutic services for male abusers. I was there speaking as a person who had been working in the child welfare system and in the community for over two decades by then, in various capacities. I was also speaking as a woman and as a citizen.
How to Improve & Change
It all starts with accountability, with structurally building equality into systems. It starts with creating and implementing public policies that enable families to obtain timely and meaningful intervention. Programs and shelters for women and children to leave family violence. Income assistance with no run around, so women are not financially at the mercy of their partners, which is so often the case. With police and court systems placing the highest priority on safety and protection from abusers. Training and professional development of police officers, Crown prosecutors, lawyers and judges. No tolerance for domestic violence from the police, from the courts. Lock abusers up, keep them in general population. There is something to be said for the natural justice of the treatment abusers experience in jail. Sounds primitive and lacking in compassion? I guarantee you the natural consequences of abuse and violence against abusers by other criminals will act as a deterent as it appeals to the deep self-interest and egocentric nature of many abusers. Abusers should receive much stronger and longer sentences, with mandatory violent offender treatment in prison. No mickey mouse programs, serious treatment, with evidence of progress and a shift towards understanding one’s behaviour, being accountable, or you do not get out. Restorative justice programs, where abusers and victims have an opportunity to be heard and take responsibility for behaviour.
Individual and group therapy for male abusers, in the community, especially early intervention services, prior to a serious escalation. Family therapy that is widely available and accessible to families from diverse socio-economic levels. Many victims of domestic violence truly do love their partners, but they fear for their lives and cannot tolerate abuse any longer. If meaningful family therapy was offered, many families would be able to receive the intervention and support they require to either safely reunite, or can separate in a less abusive way.
As a social worker, I have personally witnessed the amazing and humbling transformation of previous abusers so that families can remain intact after acts of abuse and violence. It really can change a person and a family to have an abuser understand their own pain, trauma, and abuse and consciously give up violence and control to join and connect in a more loving, caring and deep way with family members. These are just a few ideas, but they offer a start. I’m sure those working in this area of practice can offer much more than I can. I hope that we can all take a step forward and learn from mistakes, errors and tragedies of the past to create a better future for all families and create a much more civil society where we can all be safe and protected.
******
Call for new law to protect kids: Call it 'Cordon's Law' after youngest Merritt victim, lawyers suggests
By Neal HallVancouver Sun, April 18, 2008.
Keeping Women Safe: Eight Critical Components of an Effective Justice Response to Domestic Violence
New Recommendations Could Save Lives of Domestic Violence Victims
BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Services
Date: April16, 2008.
In any community, the critical components of a framework for an effective, specialized response to domestic violence must include effective, inclusive approaches to:
1. Managing risk and victim safety – including a comprehensive, coordinated approach to risk and safety assessment and victim safety planning
2. Offender accountability – including appropriate and consistent sentencing, consistent enforcement of protection orders, and accessible treatment for abusers
3. Specialized victim support – including comprehensive, proactive, and timely support with outreach and access for marginalized groups
4. Information-sharing – including consistent, timely information-sharing between agencies and with the victim, with particular emphasis on high-risk cases
5. Coordination – including coordination and collaboration at all levels among all relevant sectors, senior level leadership, and resources to adequately support a coordinated approach
6. Domestic violence policy – including adherence to a comprehensive justice system policy that applies to all justice system components and requires a consistent andinformed approach to charging, prosecution, and offender accountability
7. Use of specialized expertise – including specialized approaches such as dedicated justice system personnel and dedicated court time, adequately funded specializedtraining, and if they are considered an option, a carefully considered and principled approach to domestic violence courts.
8. Monitoring and evaluation – including monitoring and evaluation as an integral part of all the foregoing critical components and a systematic, comprehensiveapproach to collection, analysis, and publication of statistics across all justice system components.
http://www.endingviolence.org/files/uploads/NewsReleaseKeepingWomenSafe.pdf
BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs (BCASVACP)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Rating Employers & Corporate Media Relations
Here are a couple of helpful links:
Rate My Employer Canada - As it states, individuals can go on and anonymously rate their employer and organization. There are a number of categories and they are rated by stars:
Business model, vision and strategy
Management's skills
Values and corporate culture
Internal communication
Feedback
Recognition
Pride
Engagement
Work space (layout)
Atmosphere
Recruitment, development, retention
Tasks and responsibilities
Teamwork and cooperation
Organization of work
Compensation and benefits
Schedule, work load and holidays
Stress
Work/family life balance
Advancement
Recommendable
This is like the popular "Rate my MD" which allows you to comment on a physician. It's very interesting to read some of the comments and see how every person can have quite a diverse experience with a doctor, or employer.
******
6 Ways to Utilize Human Resource Public Relations and Reinforce Your Employer Image
Stacey Havel, (April 24th 2008). HR Voice.
An interesting & concise article that gives 6 methods for employers and organizations to enhance their image with potential staff and perhaps clients.
The 6 ways are:
Media Coverage, Corporate Social Responsibility, Relationship Marketing
Workplace Awards, Employer Branding Projects, Training
It's really not enough to just use the PR Spin Machine though, as a recent article in the
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Monitor points out, if companies and corporations are jumping on the "corporate responsibility" bandwagon and their commitment is hollow, entirely self-serving and simply spin, this can create a backlash against the company, tarnishing its' image, both amongst it's current employees and those it may be trying to recruit, as well as clients, or potential clients. Younger generations are much more savvy to media spin, much more cynical and as some of the comments for certain employers on Rate My Employer suggest, if real corporate life doesn't live up to the hype about values of the organization, younger workers and others will simply take what they can get and plan their exit strategy taking whatever experience and training they've been able to obtain from the organization and go somewhere else. And, as other comments on the site make clear, these critical, and/or beleagured employees will tell anyone who will listen about a crappy employer, especially if they were bought and sold spin and then feel betrayed by reality. That will not enhance an organizations image to current, or future employees. And, as many of us know, with the changes in the labour market, the ability to recruit and retain staff is truly going to become a matter of life, or death for many organizations.
Reference
Worth, J. (March 2008). Corporate Responsibility hides corporate irresponsibility.
The CCPA Monitor, 14 (9), 8-10.
Rate My Employer Canada - As it states, individuals can go on and anonymously rate their employer and organization. There are a number of categories and they are rated by stars:
Business model, vision and strategy
Management's skills
Values and corporate culture
Internal communication
Feedback
Recognition
Pride
Engagement
Work space (layout)
Atmosphere
Recruitment, development, retention
Tasks and responsibilities
Teamwork and cooperation
Organization of work
Compensation and benefits
Schedule, work load and holidays
Stress
Work/family life balance
Advancement
Recommendable
This is like the popular "Rate my MD" which allows you to comment on a physician. It's very interesting to read some of the comments and see how every person can have quite a diverse experience with a doctor, or employer.
******
6 Ways to Utilize Human Resource Public Relations and Reinforce Your Employer Image
Stacey Havel, (April 24th 2008). HR Voice.
An interesting & concise article that gives 6 methods for employers and organizations to enhance their image with potential staff and perhaps clients.
The 6 ways are:
Media Coverage, Corporate Social Responsibility, Relationship Marketing
Workplace Awards, Employer Branding Projects, Training
It's really not enough to just use the PR Spin Machine though, as a recent article in the
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Monitor points out, if companies and corporations are jumping on the "corporate responsibility" bandwagon and their commitment is hollow, entirely self-serving and simply spin, this can create a backlash against the company, tarnishing its' image, both amongst it's current employees and those it may be trying to recruit, as well as clients, or potential clients. Younger generations are much more savvy to media spin, much more cynical and as some of the comments for certain employers on Rate My Employer suggest, if real corporate life doesn't live up to the hype about values of the organization, younger workers and others will simply take what they can get and plan their exit strategy taking whatever experience and training they've been able to obtain from the organization and go somewhere else. And, as other comments on the site make clear, these critical, and/or beleagured employees will tell anyone who will listen about a crappy employer, especially if they were bought and sold spin and then feel betrayed by reality. That will not enhance an organizations image to current, or future employees. And, as many of us know, with the changes in the labour market, the ability to recruit and retain staff is truly going to become a matter of life, or death for many organizations.
Reference
Worth, J. (March 2008). Corporate Responsibility hides corporate irresponsibility.
The CCPA Monitor, 14 (9), 8-10.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Labour News
Unionized workers at Save-On-Foods and Overwaitea Stores voted over 94 percent in favour of strike action. These are members of the United Food and Commerical Workers Union (UFCW Local 1518). The union says wages and pensions are major issues and workers aren't willing to accept roll-back demands. On April 8th UFCW workers at Safeway Stores voted 99 percent in favour of a strike. Negotiations continue.
**
HEU happy with latest Bill 29 moves 4/15/2008. CKNW The Provincial Government has moved to make its controversial Bill 29 legal once again. That Bill allowed the Liberals to privatize thousands of health care support jobs without the consent of health unions. Health Minister George Abbott, "The net effect is, those portions of Bill 29 and Bill 94, which the Supreme Court frowned upon, have been essentially removed from those Statutes." The Hospital Employees Union says nine-thousand workers lost their jobs as a result of Bill 29, and calls today's Bill a vindication.
Background
On January 28, 2002 Bill 29 was passed by the B.C. legislature. B.C.’s health unions challenged the constitutionality of the legislation in a five-year court battle.
9,000 workers lost their jobs and more than $750 million in health services were privatized.
On June 8, 2007 The Supreme Court of Canada handed down its’ ruling and gave the B.C. government one-year to deal with the repercussions.
The BC government agreed on a $75 million settlement package reached with the multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association (representing 40,000 workers in B.C. hospitals and long-term care facilities). This includes a $70 million compensation and training package for workers impacted by Bill 29.
**
HEU happy with latest Bill 29 moves 4/15/2008. CKNW The Provincial Government has moved to make its controversial Bill 29 legal once again. That Bill allowed the Liberals to privatize thousands of health care support jobs without the consent of health unions. Health Minister George Abbott, "The net effect is, those portions of Bill 29 and Bill 94, which the Supreme Court frowned upon, have been essentially removed from those Statutes." The Hospital Employees Union says nine-thousand workers lost their jobs as a result of Bill 29, and calls today's Bill a vindication.
Background
On January 28, 2002 Bill 29 was passed by the B.C. legislature. B.C.’s health unions challenged the constitutionality of the legislation in a five-year court battle.
9,000 workers lost their jobs and more than $750 million in health services were privatized.
On June 8, 2007 The Supreme Court of Canada handed down its’ ruling and gave the B.C. government one-year to deal with the repercussions.
The BC government agreed on a $75 million settlement package reached with the multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association (representing 40,000 workers in B.C. hospitals and long-term care facilities). This includes a $70 million compensation and training package for workers impacted by Bill 29.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Housing & Homelessness in BC
Metro Vancouver Homeless Count 2008
More than 600 volunteers helped conduct the 2008 regional homeless count, which found 2,592 people living without homes in Metro Vancouver. It was found that street homelessness rose in every community within the region, with Vancouver and Surrey bearing the biggest numbers and burden of trying to provide services. The numbers are quite likely a lot lower, as individuals who were couch surfing, or in hard to reach places were not counted. The count also found that the number of people without a home in Vancouver increased by 19 percent since 2005.
Housing & Support for Adults with Severe Addictions and/or Mental Illness in British Columbia a research study was released by researchers from Simon Fraser University, University of BC and University of Calgary in January 2008. The researchers used a number of different reports, statistical information and other sources to estimate that there are between 8,000 and 15,500 individuals who are "absolutely homeless," meaning they are living on the streets, couch surfing or otherwise without shelter. The report states that in BC, there are approximately 130,000 adults with severe addictions and/or mental illnesses and about 39,000 are "inadequately housed” which means their core housing needs are not being met. The issues and impacts are experienced in urban, suburban and rural areas around BC. The fastest rising at-risk groups are women, youth and refugees.
For more information see:
Metro Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness.
UBC students set to highlight Vancouver housing problems to UN. Georgia Straight.
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Complaint to the United Nations Human Rights Council About Homelessness
A collaboration of parties including Michael Byers, a University of British Columbia professor, and two of his students, Mike Powar and Gayle Stewart, initiated the complaint with Pivot Legal Society, the Carnegie Community Action Project and Impact on Communities Coalition joining in to file a complaint with the UN Human Rights Council over housing impacts of the 2010 Olympics. They claim the Canadian government has failed to protect low-income tenants on the downtown eastside. They are failing to ensure minimum health and safety standards in single-room-occupancy buildings (SRO’s) and failing to provide police protection for tenants who are illegally evicted. They say Canada is breaching its’ commitment to UN protocol agreements on human rights to adequate housing.
Since 2003, more than 1,300 single-resident rooms in the Downtown Eastside have been closed since the Games were awarded to Vancouver. Community workers, activists and members fear there will be many more people evicted, often becoming homeless as the province leads up to the Olympics. In October 2007 the Miloon Kothari, the UN Special Rapporteur for Housing came to view the devastation of the Downtown Eastside . He reported “On this mission, I heard of hundreds of people who have died as a result of Canada’s nationwide housing crisis,” Kothari stated in his preliminary report. “In its most recent periodic review of Canada’s compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the United Nations used strong language to label housing and homelessness and inadequate housing as a ‘national emergency’.”
More than 600 volunteers helped conduct the 2008 regional homeless count, which found 2,592 people living without homes in Metro Vancouver. It was found that street homelessness rose in every community within the region, with Vancouver and Surrey bearing the biggest numbers and burden of trying to provide services. The numbers are quite likely a lot lower, as individuals who were couch surfing, or in hard to reach places were not counted. The count also found that the number of people without a home in Vancouver increased by 19 percent since 2005.
Housing & Support for Adults with Severe Addictions and/or Mental Illness in British Columbia a research study was released by researchers from Simon Fraser University, University of BC and University of Calgary in January 2008. The researchers used a number of different reports, statistical information and other sources to estimate that there are between 8,000 and 15,500 individuals who are "absolutely homeless," meaning they are living on the streets, couch surfing or otherwise without shelter. The report states that in BC, there are approximately 130,000 adults with severe addictions and/or mental illnesses and about 39,000 are "inadequately housed” which means their core housing needs are not being met. The issues and impacts are experienced in urban, suburban and rural areas around BC. The fastest rising at-risk groups are women, youth and refugees.
For more information see:
Metro Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness.
UBC students set to highlight Vancouver housing problems to UN. Georgia Straight.
**
Complaint to the United Nations Human Rights Council About Homelessness
A collaboration of parties including Michael Byers, a University of British Columbia professor, and two of his students, Mike Powar and Gayle Stewart, initiated the complaint with Pivot Legal Society, the Carnegie Community Action Project and Impact on Communities Coalition joining in to file a complaint with the UN Human Rights Council over housing impacts of the 2010 Olympics. They claim the Canadian government has failed to protect low-income tenants on the downtown eastside. They are failing to ensure minimum health and safety standards in single-room-occupancy buildings (SRO’s) and failing to provide police protection for tenants who are illegally evicted. They say Canada is breaching its’ commitment to UN protocol agreements on human rights to adequate housing.
Since 2003, more than 1,300 single-resident rooms in the Downtown Eastside have been closed since the Games were awarded to Vancouver. Community workers, activists and members fear there will be many more people evicted, often becoming homeless as the province leads up to the Olympics. In October 2007 the Miloon Kothari, the UN Special Rapporteur for Housing came to view the devastation of the Downtown Eastside . He reported “On this mission, I heard of hundreds of people who have died as a result of Canada’s nationwide housing crisis,” Kothari stated in his preliminary report. “In its most recent periodic review of Canada’s compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the United Nations used strong language to label housing and homelessness and inadequate housing as a ‘national emergency’.”
Monday, April 14, 2008
Civic Politics: Mayor's Race in Vancouver Heating Up, But Where's the Diversity?
Monte Paulson has written an interesting series of articles about the race for the Mayor’s Chair in Vancouver. No matter what side of the political spectrum you sit on, there is no doubt this is a crucial election, taking us into the Olympics, a provincial and federal election. A lot can happen up to the November municipal elections. My hope and dream is that around the province more citizens get politically active, a more diverse range. How could I write this without commenting that it’s still so obvious from this race that politics is seriously lacking in diversity and choices. We need to mix things up, these kind of ratios don’t reflect our gender, ethno-cultural or age diversity, which translates into policy and services that don’t reflect the needs of the community as well. It will be interesting to see what candidates come out of party nomination meetings, people have to get involved.
I’m throwing down the gauntlet, I challenge people to jump into the game, shake things up, learn some stuff and help elect people who have a real record of community service and commitment. Candidates who have demonstrated by their actions that they are accountable, dedicated and responsible people. I don’t know about you, but I see quite a few things that require improvements, solutions, change and growth. I’m not falsely idealistic, it’s time for Change and we can all be Catalysts to bring that Change to fruition.
**
Vision's Three Would-Be Kings: Vying to run for mayor are a mixed bunch with diverse slices of Vancouver. (April 3, 2008).
COPE's Cadman 'Likely' to Run for Mayor: Predicts split left will hand Sullivan another term. (April 2, 2008).
Ladner Takes On Sullivan: Mayor Sam changed the game. Now everyone wants to play. (April 14, 2008).
By Monte Paulsen (Published: April 14, 2008). The Tyee.ca
****
2008 Women's Campaign School - A non-partisan collaboration between women in politics, aimed at increasing the numbers of women involved in public life. The school takes place in Vancouver, BC and offers a unique opportunity for women to be mentored on political strategy and the bloodsport, er game, of politics.
Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE)
Non-Partisan Association (NPA)
Vision Vancouver
I’m throwing down the gauntlet, I challenge people to jump into the game, shake things up, learn some stuff and help elect people who have a real record of community service and commitment. Candidates who have demonstrated by their actions that they are accountable, dedicated and responsible people. I don’t know about you, but I see quite a few things that require improvements, solutions, change and growth. I’m not falsely idealistic, it’s time for Change and we can all be Catalysts to bring that Change to fruition.
**
Vision's Three Would-Be Kings: Vying to run for mayor are a mixed bunch with diverse slices of Vancouver. (April 3, 2008).
COPE's Cadman 'Likely' to Run for Mayor: Predicts split left will hand Sullivan another term. (April 2, 2008).
Ladner Takes On Sullivan: Mayor Sam changed the game. Now everyone wants to play. (April 14, 2008).
By Monte Paulsen (Published: April 14, 2008). The Tyee.ca
****
2008 Women's Campaign School - A non-partisan collaboration between women in politics, aimed at increasing the numbers of women involved in public life. The school takes place in Vancouver, BC and offers a unique opportunity for women to be mentored on political strategy and the bloodsport, er game, of politics.
Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE)
Non-Partisan Association (NPA)
Vision Vancouver
Welcome
Greetings,
Welcome to the official blog of Catalyst Enterprises BC (CEBC).
Catalyst: A definition:
1 : a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible
2 : an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
On our blog you'll find news, information, resources and other materials that give you a window into community and public affairs and issues in BC.
Feel free to distribute our blog and to make comments.
Tracey Young, BA CYC, MSW
CEO - Catalyst Enterprises BC
***
You must be the change you want to see in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi - Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 - 1948)
Welcome to the official blog of Catalyst Enterprises BC (CEBC).
Catalyst: A definition:
1 : a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible
2 : an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
On our blog you'll find news, information, resources and other materials that give you a window into community and public affairs and issues in BC.
Feel free to distribute our blog and to make comments.
Tracey Young, BA CYC, MSW
CEO - Catalyst Enterprises BC
***
You must be the change you want to see in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi - Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 - 1948)
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