Red Cedar
More apocalypse, less angst
Union morning.
Don’t know what’s got into me, but I’ve turned into a snarly union rep this morning. Normally I am all acquiesence and playing nice – a facilitator rather than a fighter – but lately, I’ve seen people I represent pushed one too many times and I’m starting to get a bit worn out by it. I’m also a bit thin-edged over management’s expectations of us as union reps after being requested to come in over my holidays for a grievance presentation that could just as easily been heard next week. Nix that, I’ve got another steward to fill in for me since I haven’t had a full week of holidays off in over a year.
And what are the issues? Of course all the big ones – accomodating workers with disabilities, staffing procedures, unpaid overtime, and the right to paid leave in the event of inclement weather.
In the main, my difficulty is with the fact that the employer “consults” with the union all the time, but they *never* listen to us. Consultation is just a formality required by law, and as a result, we never make any real headway. It’s insincere on the part of the employer, and it’s a time-drain for those of us who are already trying to balance job/union requirements.
I don’t want to fight with management over every little issue, but right now I’m feeling that they have come to expect our full “co-operation” and are now taking advantage in the pettiest of ways. I don’t feel much like fighting back, but since I really am at the end of my patience, it’s coming pretty natural today. We’ll see what happens in my hearing this afternoon.
A little tired, but surprisingly upright….
Had a bit too much silliness last night with scotch and wine and am working from home today while waiting for my new futon mattress to be delivered…. thankful that the internet allows me to do that when I’m feeling this dopey (surprisingly, not really hung over, just tired).
The good news is that I won the election I was running in this weekend, which means I get to go on to the national bargaining conference for my union in February where I run for a spot on the national bargaining team. The race was not easy, but I did the work necessary to get elected, and I’m feeling pretty secure about the fact I was chosen by my peers to go forward. There will be 14 of us running for 9 seats come the new year, and that’s something I have to start working on soon if I am to get anywhere – it’s a big deal for me.
The other relief is that my three weeks of madness (Ottawa, moving, fed convention, PSAC conference etc) are now over and I can get down to unpacking my house, setting up my new bed (a union brother and I took a drive to Ikea in his truck on Friday after the BCFed – now that’s some solidarity!), and relaxing a little bit. I am planning my housewarming for the 20th of this month, so those of you who know me can mark that date in your calendars (and you will be receiving an invitation by email).
Oy, the Resist! Collective, what a funny bunch to drink with….. so lucky to have ’em in my life.
East Van Busrides….
Just got the No. 20 home after a day of BCFed convention and a night of drinking wine. The quintessential east van busride – driver letting people on for free to ride around out of the cold, drunk guy missing a finger hitting on me, two guys almost getting in a fight, a discussion about scars, and a decent conversation with a kid who “couriers” for a living and gave me his card in case I need anything. Dammit, I know it will all annoy me soon enough, but at the moment it feels like home – and fuck, it feels pretty good.
In brief.
It was epic, but the move happened during yesterday’s snowstorm. I am in east vancouver now, but my phone and internet haven’t been hooked up. Nor do I have a bed. And I’m struggling to unpack.
But at least Kevin helped me place my furniture, so I’ve got the space mapped out.
Feel free to call my cel, I am pirating wireless so at least I can check email periodically.
Yeah – it's pretty and all…
But this snow is screwing up my move! Supposed to move this morning, all packed, stereo in the box, modem unplugged from the wall – and I get a call from the mover that because the roads are so bad, it’s not safe to drive the truck. Fair enough – the roads are really bad – but I thought this snow was going to turn to rain sometime this morning…..
Anyhow – move is on for tomorrow hopefully. We’ll see what happens. I’m really bummed out at the moment, even though I can at least have a day of doing nothing (in my totally packed up house).
Red Cedar 