I am not a union punk by any stretch of the imagination. In
fact, this is only the second time in my life that I have been forced to pay
union dues. The last time was when I worked on-air and in the newsroom at
Q-93/CKIX. Frankly, I accept that
incredible sacrifices union leaders have made to ensure equality, equity,
safety and collective rights for workers. However, there are times, like today,
where I think unions help protect the lazy and the stupid.
Arbitration hearings to protect people who steal, cheat or
refuse to do their jobs really bug me. Some people do not seem to have any
concept of self-responsibility any more. There does not appear to be a clear
understanding of right or wrong.
In fact, right or wrong is often not the issue. Securing a doctors note using stress, your poor sex life or some addiction to justify an inexcusable work place offense sickens me to the core. It undermines the good work, the incredibly vital role of unions to protect workers rights.
In fact, right or wrong is often not the issue. Securing a doctors note using stress, your poor sex life or some addiction to justify an inexcusable work place offense sickens me to the core. It undermines the good work, the incredibly vital role of unions to protect workers rights.
So imagine my reaction when I hear the news that a serial
snooper, a clerk at St. Clare's Hospital, who was fired for looking at more
than 20 private medical files, will get her job back. It is one of those WTF? Moments?
Something is really flawed, screwed-up and wrong when an employer can not fire someone for something as obviously wrong as looking at confidential patient information, accessing someones most private details.
This is not rumbling through your neighbors’ medicine cabinet. It is a very grievous intrusion into patient-doctor confidentiality. I think Furlong looks out of touch with an issue that really bothers the public. Good luck trying to earn the respect or sympathy of the public in a negotiation year. This clerk, and the union’s defense of her, might just become the symbol of what is wrong with public sector unions. Talk about throwing government a bone to hammer you over the head with.
3 comments:
Cannot see how anyone could disagree with your comments. My feelings exactly.
The optics are not good. The union should have just accepted the ruling, spoke to how serious the issue of secrecy is and asked the membership to be more responsible.
Instead they look like cheerleaders for the individual! Makes all public servants look like they can do whatever they want without repercussions.
NAPE President Carole Furlong supports the arbitrator's decision.
I wonder what she would say if it was her medical records were snooped by a complete stranger?
Particularly mental health records?
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