The first was their decision to picket our private homes, rather than the employer, SAIL. We've heard a number of justifications from them about this; they've defined us as a long term care facility, they've claimed that because "management" lives there, our entire community is fair game, and they've told some of our members outright that, to them, Artspace and SAIL are one and the same.
The other was for them to be so aggressive and adversarial, right from day one. They targeted everyone, including those who had nothing to do with the labour dispute. The justification we heard for that was that, since all Artspace members were co-owners of the co-op, that meant they were also all co-owners of SAIL, therefore we were all fair game.
Which, of course, isn't how things work, but it was good enough for them.
They could have picketed the SAIL office; they would have gotten permission to do so on private property, seeing as how most Artspace members are actually very pro-union and respect people's right to strike and picket.
Let's not forget the frivolous complaints being made against SAIL to the labour board.
After almost 2 months of AUPE's siege here at Artspace, it was discovering their plans to hold a party at our home on Canada Day, with an open invitation to any and all, for free Fat Franks hot dogs, that lead to this blog being created. This was our very first blog post (posts before then were backdated to the appropriate dates).
After all this time, trying to call attention to what AUPE was doing to our community, this blog finally gave Artspace members, friends, family and supporters, a voice that could be neither ignored, nor silenced. We could finally tell the world what we were experiencing, the effect it was having on us, on many levels, the damage they were doing to us, and how it made us feel.
One positive thing about this attention is that it forced AUPE's picketers to start to tone down the abusive behaviour; sort of. Then they tried some damage control.
Problem is, the damage is already done. The effects their abusive behaviour has had on our members doesn't just suddenly end, because things are quieter now. Especially when they go and do things like this, this and this.
So even when they're trying to behave, they still end up making themselves look really bad.
But now, they've really gone and jumped the shark.
Just take a look at what's been called to our attention.
AUPE sues tweeter, blogger in $500,000 defamation suit
By Ryan Cormier, Edmonton Journal September 26, 2014
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees has filed a $500,000 defamation lawsuit against a local tweeter, an Ontario politician and an unidentified blogger for Internet statements about an ongoing labour strike.
The lawsuit, filed in late August, claims that Kathleen Smith — known on Twitter as @KikkiPlanet — and Jason Tucker, a politician seeking the Conservative nomination in the new federal riding of Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas made “false and defamatory statements” about the union.
That's right. AUPE has filed suit against some of our supporters. Kathleen's supportive tweets were the catalyst that finally forced AUPE to pull back the abusive behaviour, and for that, we are grateful. What's amazing is that they've included someone who's written a single blog post about us, after coming to Artspace for our 100 Day vigil and spending time talking to members about what's been going on.
One. Blog. Post.
From a guy in Hamilton.
Wow.
Oh, and this...
The suit also lists an unidentified Jane Doe as a defendant that they believe is an Artspace resident whose blog has detailed the ongoing labour dispute.
Well, we know who they think runs this blog. They've mentioned it often enough when they harass her.
Problem is, as has been stated numerous times, this blog isn't one person.
Oh, sure, it started off with just one person physically starting it, but that changed within days. There are several admins, the number of which changes as people's abilities to assist changes. We even have someone who volunteers as an editor for those who have difficulty writing. Then there are the contributors, which includes people who don't actually live in Artspace.
There is no one person who owns and runs this blog. There is no one person who writes the posts.
What we have done is talk about what has happened to us, and the effect it has had on us.
We've also started uploading some of the security video, which they knew full well could happen, since there are signs all over the high rise saying so.
We have made what is happening here available for the general public to see.
All anyone has to do is check out the videos. If anything has defamed AUPE, it's their own picketers behaviour.
Oh, and speaking of defamation...
This suit just makes themselves look even worse, and the fall out is already starting.
Here are a few quotes from Facebook (they're public, but I won't include names; you never now - AUPE might try to sue them, too!), starting with:
The AUPE has filed a law suit against me as a result of my advocating for the victims of their activities at Artspace. The filed claim includes a monetary amount for damages.
So not only have they victimized the people of Artspace, the AUPE will attempt to silence private citizens who stand up to advocate for Artspace residents.
Somehow - I suspect suing an advocate will make AUPE look even worse. Face-palm.
Very important! Please read. Please please please.....and like this link to support Kiki Planet aka Kathleen Smith.
Our libel and slander and defamation laws are some of the most restrictive in this supposedly free country. The legislation regarding journalistic responsibility now includes bloggers. Unfortunately, most bloggers do not have money and legal defence team on call, and an employer to frame the issue in any way. This is ridiculous.
When the likes of Ezra Levant can impugn Trudeau and turn an innocent and sweet photo into a scene from Game of Thrones, without anyone having a hairy fit or talking lawsuits ( well he HAS decided not to engage with Sun Media) it makes me wonder how THIS situation can even exist.
It makes me wonder if my highlighting this situation will end up costing me time and money.
It makes me right pissed off.
I love MY union. It isn't this union. But it is a union. And this situation makes me, as a union supporter, look bad.
And... While I am not personally involved in this situation, I have a friend who has had to leave Artspace, because of PTSD rearing it's ugly head, as he went through months of what has been described and recorded and disseminated- by KiKi and others named in similar lawsuits.
That is complete crap. My friend should be able to live in his HOME without being afraid and anxious as to what is going on just outside the main doors.
How can this happen? Seriously- all of this- how can this actually happen? In Canada...
Still looking for that new planet. If anyone has a lead or two, I would appreciate it about now....
This seems monumentally stupid on the AUPE's part, if only because there's heaps of video evidence of the stuff that Kathleen Smith was talking about in her tweets. It's also despicable, given that it's clearly a SLAPP and an attempt to punish someone for telling the truth - and deter others from doing the same.
I already was pretty sure I knew what was going on (I have my ability to put two and two together), so I am THRILLED to see Ryan's article. Guess what AUPE? Not only did you pick the wrong woman to mess with, now EVERYONE's gonna know exactly what type of asses you're being over the whole ArtSpace situation. Think the truth was bad enough coming out of the Ginger's mouth? Let's see how you like it when EVERYONE else weighs in!
On a more serious note, do I tell you often enough how honoured I am to be your friend and have your example of how to be fearless when it comes to stating the truth and helping others? You are amazing & I love you!
What a joke! There is video, photo, and testimonial evidence of ALL the accusations. Surely the courts can't take this seriously?! I've been to Artspace. I've witnessed the tears, the fear, and heard the concerns. Don't back down! It's about time these jerks got put in their place!!
Ha! A defamation suit only works if the criticism is groundless and a lie. Nice try, AUPE. Funny how they charge you with harassment, when they are the ones harassing you, a private citizen, who has the right to call it as she sees it and speak out.
Guarantee of Rights and Freedoms
---Rights and freedoms in Canada
1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.
Fundamental Freedoms
---Fundamental freedoms
2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:(a) freedom of conscience and religion;(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and(d) freedom of association.
http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/D07.pdf
In other words, if it is true then it is not defamation!
There are many more.
Then there's twitter.
Can you actually libel a union, as opposed to an individual? Can you by extension libel a corporation or a government? #honestlyasking
AUPE is suing @KikkiPlanet? I doubt they even have a legal case, but from a p-r perspective, it's disastrous. This will never get to court.
@Paulatics @KikkiPlanet Wow, this already looks so bad on the AUPE.Now this? Suing people for having an opinion.
@KikkiPlanet You know I'm really not sure they considered the PR and comms disaster this will be. Not so clever eh? ;)
And these are just what came out within hours of the Journal's article being posted.
Seriously, AUPE; who thought this was a good idea? You're just digging yourselves into a deeper and deeper hole.
Well, one thing's for sure. It's going to call a lot more attention to this blog and all those videos.
Thanks.
If you're visiting this blog because of the Edmonton Journal article, please feel free to go through the posts and the videos and decide for yourselves.
Make sure you subscribe to the youtube channel, because - slowly but surely - more videos are making their way online.
Just like the signs all around the high rise said could happen.
You can start with this unusually long video, from early in the strike.
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