And while we’re on about unions, let’s talk the NDP, the Yukon Employees Union and John Edzerza.
You might remember the so-called porn probe, which we prefer to call a computer-misuse investigation because the porn was largely fabricated.
The trumped up investigation — PSC officials were hinting at sex acts with barnyard animals, the union proved it was almost entirely innocuous e-mail jokes, like a picture of a roasted turkey sporting bikini lines — was bungled.
There was no judicial process. Union members were simply paraded down the halls, shamed before their co-workers — and this done in the absence of clear rules by the government on computer use.
Managers, including cabinet staffers and ministers, faced no similar probe.
The union went nuts, and its fallout is a factor in this election.
Edzerza was the minister responsible for the Public Service Commission when the government launched its computer-misuse investigation.
He was the guy in charge.
Now he’s been adopted by the NDP, which championed workers during the scandal.
Alex Furlong, president of the Yukon Federation of Labour, openly supports the NDP.
So, how does he justify support for a party that welcomed Edzerza, the guy responsible for the computer probe, into its ranks?
Furlong says Edzerza had no control — that it was Fentie’s fault.
That’s pretty patronizing.
And, as we see it, it’s a lose-lose for the NDP.
Either Edzerza is weak and easily manipulated — not someone you want elected.
Or he’s a responsible for the bungled computer-misuse investigation.
So, however you slice it, Edzerza’s damaged goods.
And that’s a significant problem for the NDP. (RM)