CUPE 1004 WANTS WHISTLE-BLOWER PROTECTION

Oldtown News
Vancouver, BC

CUPE 1004 WANTS WHISTLE-BLOWER PROTECTION

Following up on confidential information which I was given last night by a striking CUPE 1004 member regarding serious allegations of improper conduct of a number of City of Vancouver managers, I have since spoken to Mike Jackson, President of striking CUPE Local 1004 which represents Vancouver outside workers.

In an interview with Mr. Jackson this morning, he articulates the need for whistle-blower protection and that this key issue is a major stumbling block in negotiations with the City. The young union leader, went on to say that the City Manager, Judy Rogers, who advises City Council wants whistle-blowing complaints to be followed up by the Manager of Human Resources.

Local 1004, according to Mike Jackson, prefers that whistle-blowing complaints be dealt with by the City Manager or City Council.

Ms Rogers, has been drafting a report to Council on whistle-blower policy, however, this is not expected to make it onto Council's agenda for at least another couple of months.

The City of Vancouver, no question, must adopt well thought out whistle-blowing policy as it would be prudent to do so. In a call today with the Assistant to the City Manager, I was informed that the City prefers to have an overall policy for all municipal employees. This makes perfect sense.

What that policy may look like though is another matter. For it to have any teeth, from the union's perspective, no doubt it should be spelled out in the contract and not at the whim of city staff who can distort policies. As can politicians. Therefore, the Union has legitimate concerns.

The NPA council has stated that they will not become involved in negotiations regarding the strike and to make matters worse, Council is on summer recess until late September.

Council though must re-convene immediately, in order to discuss the whistle-blowing draft policy that Ms Rogers is busy preparing and to review the Union's demands around this issue. To not do so will only ensure difficult labour relations with it's workforce and a very prolonged strike, which I doubt the public wants.

Today, I spoke with popular City Councillor, Peter Ladner, who many citizens feel would be an excellent Mayor. Councillor Ladner states that he supports in principle, whistle-blowing protection and he understands the Union's concern. He would need to see what the Union is proposing in terms of language. Councillor Ladner did say that another important issue affecting the City is the Union's demand of job security.

This political hands-off approach though is problematic since as Councillor Ladner states, another key issue surrounding labour negotiations revolves around job security. Add to that whistle-blowing protection and these issues requires serious political debate since it involves the public interest and you can't have negotiating or municipal staff determining these vital issues as there will be financial costs which needs to be borne by the City taxpayers.

Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com