Two NDP officials in Alberta say they have recently left because they can no longer accept the culture they describe as humiliating and ignore the volunteers, most of whom are women.
“We are paramilitary presidents of constituency associations. We are burned by volunteers. I felt it was not me as a person. It is not worthy of integrity and I will not be part of it,” said Christa Lee, a former constituency. the NDP president said in an interview Wednesday.
“It should be a party run by members, but it is a party of several elite employees. Nobody knows who they are responsible for.
“That’s not why I’m here, I can’t help it.”
Lee, like Shari Valentin, said they were heard from other disgruntled party members seeking change but not receiving it.
Their comments come a day after a leaked letter from 15 NDP presidents and regional executive directors called for an independent investigation into what they say is a pattern of harassment of volunteers, along with questionable practices for nominating candidates.
The letter received from The Canadian Press does not specify the types of abuse.
Valentine said she left as a volunteer a month ago after years of knocking on the door of NDP leader Rachel Notley and the NDP.
She said she left after failing to address concerns about candidates and volunteers, saying the abuse was targeted at “90 per cent women, 10 per cent men”.
Valentin said the staff were rude, demeaning and condescending to volunteers and potential candidates. She said she knew that volunteers were also shouting at the meetings. A constituency president told her she had no “political value”.
“This brings a level of shame,” Valentine said in an interview. “When it happens to new people coming in, it’s uncomfortable.”
Lee resigned as president of the Calgary-Bow NDP Electoral Association in February after her board learned on Twitter that Drew Farrell would be their candidate, while others vying for the candidacy, including her, were forced to wait months for a decision.
Lee said there were other problems.
“Dad knows best”
She said the constituency association is not free to make small contact decisions and the highest level of permission is needed. Lee said she was disappointed with the emails and phone calls, which went unanswered.
The volunteer contribution, she said, has been ignored.
“We were increasingly frustrated and frustrated by officials who thought, you know, the father knows best,” Lee said.
She said it was becoming increasingly clear that the role of NDP volunteers was not to think, to contribute equals, but simply to be “brand ambassadors” for decisions made by others.
“I felt like I was working in a mall store, because we just represent the brand. We don’t have to have a big word on things, “she said.
Brandon Stevens, the NDP’s provincial secretary, said in a statement. He said they could not publicly discuss specific human resources issues, but that there was an appeal process for rejected candidates.
Stevens added that “the party is also committed to a comprehensive review of our anti-bullying policy in order to expand and update it to comply with workplace policy.”
“We look forward to considering recommendations for a new policy at the upcoming meeting of the party council,” he said.
“We are committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for volunteers, staff and all Albert residents.”
Valentine said he did not believe Notley and Stevens would resolve the concerns.
“All they do is try to make him disappear,” she said.
Both said they wanted to support the party, but not without some major cultural changes.
“I want the NDP to form a government. I want to be able to put a sign on my fence proudly [that says]”Yes, that’s who I’m voting for,” Valentine said.
“If they don’t get their things together, there’s no way they can win.”
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