Bill McMullan - 1st Vice-President

Sun, Sep 29, 2024, 9:23 AM
to me, Charlotte, Bonnie, Mary-Ann, Bill, Betty, Chris, Olivia, Monica, Baldeesh, Barb, Ian, Phil, Lisa, Lisa, Lynn, Diane, Donovan, Darlene, Christine, Scott, Cora, Maria, Louella, Isaac, Amanpreet, Constancio, Preety, jimmy, Barb

ENOUGH. STOP EMAILING ME

Talitha 

MY response:

Sun, Sep 29, 2024, 9:54 AM
to Talitha, Charlotte, Bonnie, Mary-Ann, Bill, Betty, Chris, Olivia, Monica, Baldeesh, Barb, Ian, Phil, Lisa, Lisa, Lynn, Diane, Donovan, Darlene, Christine, Scott, Cora, Maria, Louella, Isaac, Amanpreet, Constancio, Preety, jimmy, Barb

Hi Talitha,

With all due respect, you took an oath of office, so I'll gladly stop emailing you—either when you step down or when you’re no longer elected to the Provincial Executive after the convention next month.

This is the problem I’ve encountered in this union: no one seems willing to make a decision, form an opinion, or take responsibility for the role they were elected to. On the political side, many elected members seem to crave the title, while on the staffing side, it’s all about the comfortable paycheck—both at the expense of the very members they’re supposed to serve.

Maybe it’s time for a refresher—pull out those old videos on why unions were actually formed. And while you're at it, feel free to enlighten me on what, exactly, in my email was wrong. I must have missed something obvious.

Frankly, it’s hard not to see your reply-all as politically motivated, especially given the timing—just 20 days before the convention. I guess no one wants to risk offending Barb, right? If your real goal was to get me to stop, you could have simply replied to me directly.

In any case, I’ll continue emailing the entire PE, because unlike Barb, I believe it would be disrespectful to exclude any elected member. I don’t share her habit of picking and choosing which rules to follow or which members to support.

So, you’ve got a choice: either step down, or maybe—just maybe—start making a real difference.

In solidarity,

Jessie

On Sun, Sep 29, 2024 at 12:00 PM Jessie Bains <bainsj@gmail.com> wrote:

To: Office of the President – HEU

Subject: Formal Charge under Article 19

Complainant:

Jessie Bains
bainsj@gmail.com

Respondent:

Talitha Dekker (Senior trustee)

Allegation:

Talitha Dekker’s email violated the spirit of union solidarity, and her attempt to publicly humiliate me through a group email thread is both unprofessional and unacceptable behavior from an elected official. Her refusal to include herself in union-related communications further violates her Oath of Office, which obliges her to serve all members of the union. As an elected union officer, she is accountable for maintaining the respect, dignity, and fair treatment of all members, which she failed to uphold in this instance.

I, Jessie Bains, a member in good standing of the Hospital Employees’ Union, formally file an Article 19 charge against Talitha Dekker, Senior Trustee, for the following violations of the HEU Constitution and By-Laws:

Violations:

1.  Bullying and Intimidation:

On September 29, 2024, Talitha Dekker sent an email with the subject "ENOUGH. STOP EMAILING ME" addressed to all recipients in a group email thread (including several officers and members of the HEU). This action was intended to publicly embarrass, disrespect, and intimidate me. Her conduct reflects a breach of respect and courtesy expected of a union officer and constitutes bullying as it attempts to silence me inappropriately.

2.  Disrespect towards a fellow member:

Article 19, Section B of the HEU Constitution outlines that members are expected to treat one another with respect. Talitha’s communication violated these principles by addressing me in a harsh and demeaning manner without just cause.

3.  Violation of the Oath of Office (Article 3):

As per Article 3 of the Constitution, all union officers take an Oath of Obligation to serve and represent all members fairly and equitably. By instructing me, a member in good standing, to stop emailing her and attempting to exclude herself from communication, Talitha has violated her duty to remain available and responsive to all members of the union. This action breaches the oath she took as an elected officer, as it undermines her obligation to represent and communicate with all members, without exclusion.

4.  Failure to fulfill her duties as an elected officer (Article 7, Section C):

As a Senior Trustee, Talitha is responsible for setting an example of respectful and ethical behavior towards all members. By refusing to engage in communications with me, she has failed to fulfill her obligation to perform her duties in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws, and to represent all members without prejudice.

Specific Violations:

·  Article 19, Section B (Offenses): Talitha's actions constitute an offense under this section, which prohibits disrespect, intimidation, and bullying within the union.

·  Article 3 (Oath of Obligation): Talitha violated her oath by attempting to exclude herself from communication with a member, thereby failing to fulfill her duty to represent and engage with all members.

·  Article 7, Section C (Duties of Officers): Talitha failed to uphold her responsibilities as a Senior Trustee by acting disrespectfully and refusing to serve a member in good standing.

Requested Penalty:

In light of these violations, I request that the following actions be taken:

·  Written Reprimand: A formal written reprimand should be issued to Talitha Dekker for violating her oath of office, bullying and being disrespectful.

·  Suspension: Suspension from office and/or access to the membership pending the outcome of an Article 19 trial.

·  Permanent Removal: Permanent removal from office.

·  Denial of Office: Denial of the right to hold any office in the Union or Local for a specified period.

·  Other Actions: Any other penalties or actions deemed just and reasonable by the Provincial Executive, a Trial Panel, or a Disciplinary Panel.
 
Jessie Bains