Addressing the Issue of Workplaces - Perhaps an outline for

[Pete]

Myself and a fellow coworker with the support of many others are compling a list of grievances for our bosses. This is our formal letter (we will include 3 reports):

ATTENTION: PHIL AUNEY
Carbon Copy: JENNY SCOTT, DONNA MOORE, HELEN O'NIEL, SHARYL BUTCH-*****, STAFF ROOM.

We, the workers of Zellars, have been observing a number of problems in the current set up of this work place. 1) Lack of Recycling Recipricals 2) Rights and Responsiblities of Workers and Management 3) Poisoned Environment. We feel that each of these issues needs to be addressed, and within are a brief out line of each. If you do not address these issues you will only increase the stress and lower the work ethic of your employees. Think past your profit, and towards making Zellars a place where people want to work because of the atmosphere and policies, not because of the pay,

From the Employees of Zellars #149 in Solidarty across all Departments.

I forgot one of the bosses last names so I put 'butch *****' in for now :biggrin:

Pete

[canikickit]

I can't think of anything intelligent to say so I'll just wish you good luck. Let us know what way it turns out.

Where are the reports? They better be good.

[Pete]

I still havent written the ones on poisoned environment or rights/responsibilites. My coworker is doing recycling. I am dedicating tmrw after noon (its a spirit day and I hate my school so I am skipping the day) to this project :D

[canikickit]

What's a "spirit day"? Post the reports here when they're done.

[Pete]

A spirit day is an evil mix of the Student Council, the Athletic Union, and the Teachers of the school. They set up 'spirited' activites for all of us 'spiritied spartans' to participate in to show our 'large amounts' of school spirit to each other. For example tomorrow is called 'Winter Fest 2003" and there are a bunch of activities going on but I of course am choosing 'fuck school spirit and use a day off to do all the projects that are due that i said fuck you to when i got htem.' I have a theory taht new racism/nationalism is bred in school. In one of my classes people where offended that our teacher taught for more years at the other highschool in town then in ours.

[Pete]

Poisoned Environments

The definition of a poisoned environment is a situation where a worker is discrimanated against based on age, sex, race, or physical appearance, or where a feeling of ennui is inherent in the workplace. The Government of Ontario considers this a form of harassment, and any work place which indulges, knowingly or not, is committing a human rights violation.
In Zellars Store #149 their is has been a number of issues where employees feel they have been treated differently based on their age, especially among the students. There is a well known incident where an employee was vocally abused by the management for covering a co-workers break. This would not have happened for an older employee, as the management can be seen socializing with them on a regular basis. Because of the nature of the harassment, and the way that employees interact, the effects have spread among all departments of work causing the working environment to become poisoned. This incident does not stand alone, but is by far the most well known and has had the greatest effective on the work place.
In addition the management holds sexist baises. This is a large charge, but true. The male-female ratio is out of proportion to the demographic realities of the area, as their are far less males then females employed. Only 3 males are employed in the Merch Ops and Customer Service departments combined, with not a single one working as a cashier. The speciality services (Home Entertainment and Jewellery) have 3 male employees. The Stewards, on the other hand only have 1 female. This looks bad on not only the Company but the management. The question must be asked, why does this occur? It is either a conscience or subconscience desicion by those in charge of hiring, either way it is still discrimantory. The training of the few male employees also lacks. Only 3 are cash trained, and those are the ones that work in the Home Entertainment department. It was said by one manager that no one would want to pay a male for their shopping, so it is not correct to have a cashier, or even cash trained, male past those needed for Home Entertainment. This disregard of equality and human rights causes a strain on all employees, male and female alike, who are conscience of it.
Although these numbers are unforunate, there is one example of the vocalization of a sexist policy that stands out. Stewards must have either another Steward or a male Merch Ops worker cover their breaks. It is easy to quote the manager who angrily yelled at one Steward to "never give this [his head set] to a girl again! If their are no guys available do not go on break! Girls cannot cover your break!" This is a blatant act of sexism. By not allowing females who are perfectly capable to cover Steward's breaks the magament is committing a Humans Rights Violation. This must be fixed, as the effect is adverse to the working environment. To know that the management is sexist against females at the same time shocks an already demoralized staff, deeping the feeling of ennui that the workplace generates.
Obviously, in this anglo-centric town rascism is not a problem, and physcial appearance is relative. Yet agist and sexist policies damper the spirits of all employees, decreasing productivity and destroys all moral inscentives to working. If the managers took the time to completement the employees on a job well done, instead of riding them like a worn horse pointing out every mistake then the atmosphere may improve.
Only the reversal of the discriminatory policies and the aknowledgement of worker's achievements will change the atmosphere of the workplace. The managers should know something is wrong when an employee books off all the days one of his/her bosses are working. Zellars is seen as a good place to work, by all who do not work here. It is the managers job to meet the expectations of all employees by providing a safe, fare working environment, instead of the poisoned one that exists now.

[Blibblob]

arg, too long. Put the very important stuff in shortly, then the long thing. Your boss will start reading it and then just go, "fuck this, youre fired".

[canikickit]

Well, hopefully your boss is not an immature schoolboy incapable of reading a coherent page long report. If she/he has a 90 second attention span, I strongly recommend you shorten this report. Otherwise you're okay, I guess.


Only 3 males are employed in the Merch Ops and Customer Service departments combined, with not a single one working as a cashier. The speciality services (Home Entertainment and Jewellery) have 3 male employees.

I could be mistaken, but I think this could be due to the fact that less males apply for that type of job. What are they doing exactly? But you know what I mean, most males don't want to work in certain jobs, and won't apply for them.


What the hell is Zellars anyway?

I can't see anything that needs changing really.

I agree about what you were saying about bosses not congratulating you on a job well done. Even if what you are doing is childsplay, it's nice to feel appreciated. Fuckers in the place I used to work never said anything positive to me.

[Pete]

Zellars is a department store. They interview equal amounts of guys and girls, just hire heavily on the female side. I am Merch Ops, I face shit. There are 2 guys and about 20 girls on my job. I am not complaining about that, it is just a good point to bring up to show them that they are sexist.

[Comrade Marcel]

Quote: from CrazyPete on 2:43 am on Feb. 28, 2003
Zellars is a department store. They interview equal amounts of guys and girls, just hire heavily on the female side. I am Merch Ops, I face shit. There are 2 guys and about 20 girls on my job. I am not complaining about that, it is just a good point to bring up to show them that they are sexist.

Dude, I think the report looks good. I wish you luck.

If your anywhere close to Toronto, Young Left (http://rebelyouth.ca/) has a member with a degree in Labour Relations, perhaps we could help you out.....

BTW, I thought Zellers was Unionized? Did you talk with anyone from your Union?

Best of luck Comrade.

(Edited by Comrade Marcel at 5:07 pm on Feb. 28, 2003)

[Comrade Marcel]

Zellers is like the Canadian version of Wal-Mart

http://www.hbc.com/zellers/

It will probably be gone in 10-15 years thanks to Wal-Mart though....

[Pete]

Zellars is unionated by stores, that is why I am looking into unions aswell to try and stop these issues.
I am actualyl 45 minutes from the GTA or whatever it is called now, thaink you for the link!

[Comrade Marcel]

Quote: from CrazyPete on 8:14 pm on Feb. 28, 2003
Zellars is unionated by stores, that is why I am looking into unions aswell to try and stop these issues.
I am actualyl 45 minutes from the GTA or whatever it is called now, thaink you for the link!

If you want to start a union, this guy is the man for the job. He has succesfully helped start a Union for two different workplaces already. He has a car, so if you are really sersiously in need of help don't hesitate to contact us. I can't promise you anything, but we will try.

[email protected]
http://rebelyouth.ca/

[Pete]

Nice :) Thanks! I will probe for support first.

[Pete]

We have started this 'work to rule' thing because of our managers. We do exactly what they tell us (it happened sporatically) that way they can not bithc. 'Why did you only get 3 aisles done?' 'You told me to start from there and to make it all perfect.' Perfect cleaning = 1-2 hours per aisle. I only had 3 hours hehe