Shitty treatment of former employee betrays change at People's Food Co-op

I've been aware of events at Peoples and the firing of spArkle. Lots of people don't know, but when they hear about it they are really upset. I know of a dozen or so people who are shopping there less because what happened and is happening is so upsetting.

spArkle is so hardworking and dedicated. He did so many positive things for Peoples and for many people in the community. He organized all sorts of events, mostly on his own time. That store benefitted greatly from his presence and energy and to see the awful way he was treated lost Peoples much of the respect I had for it. It is a sad irony that one of the people who best represents the values Peoples says it stands for was fired for no good reason.

Wow... I thought People's was great. I'm not from Portland and I was visiting in the Spring, and places like People's and the Red and Black were so welcoming and refreshing compared to the sterile corporate shit we get around where I live. I'm glad you took the time to give us your story.

What were the differences of opinion that lead to their firing you?

I remember when Kollibri was working at Peoples and he did not want to take a pay increase because that would push him into legally having to pay federal taxes much of which would go to the war machine. He had to fight in Peoples to refuse the pay increase. You would think that a place like Peoples would understand and respect such a solid ethical stand. That showed me something about the beaurocratic tendency there. It was eventually accepted, but he had to fight for it. With the firing and how it happened, I still find it hard to believe the coop engaged in such a dirty backstabbing way. A friend recently went in there and asked what had happened to Kollibri. The person he talked to didn't answer and changed the subject.

my friend works at peoples. they can't talk about personnel matters with anyone. even me. but i have faith enough in my friend to believe that there may be more than one side to this story.

I had not really thought about it in the context of a bigger picture, but I do miss the freebox and the bars on the windows are disturbing. I don't like looking at them and in a way it bothers me more because they were made curvy to look more 'organic'. Curvy bars still a prison make.

Kollibri being fired from the Co-op was a hard blow to take. Peoples was always a special place for me but what happened and the way it happened squashed that feeling. I talked to 6-7 store employees during and after the firing. I asked each of them "Do you think this is a right thing that is happening?" Not one of them said yes and some of them said no, yet it happened anyway. Makes you wonder what the term consensus actually means... or the terms honesty and integrity.

I wrote up an account of events shortly after his firing planning to post to the site, but I was so sad and upset about it all that I let it be. Kollibri seemed to just want to move on and I eventually decided not to publish it.

I did go to a Peoples board meeting and I expressed there that I felt a wrong had been done to Kollibri. I said I felt that a few people with personal agendas carried out a negative campaign to get him fired that was underhanded and dishonest. I said that what happened violated the principles Peoples says it stands for. I said that Kollibri was fired for dubious reasons and he would have received a fairer treatment at Fred Meyer. Between the board members and peoples employees who were there, not one ever said a word to me.

At the time of the firing, some people wanted to terminate him immediately (which is what happened). That is what you do when someone has stolen money from the store, or trashed the place while drunk, or sexually assaulted someone. Did Kollibri do anything like that? No. Just the sort of nitpicky things that everyone does sometimes.

You know, terminating someone immediately is drastic. It leaves them without income. It leaves them without way to pay rent and buy food. That is where it left Kollibri. That is where the place that supposedly stands for community values left someone who worked really hard, who put in many hours of unpaid work, and who contributed so much positive to the place. Someone who put a lot of love into it. That is why person after person I told about it expressed shock and outrage, even before I said a word about the circumstances.

I've still been shopping there and I still have my membership. I have been sitting with it, not wanting to be precipitous in my action because I felt so angry to see my friend deeply hurt by a place I thought would do better.

I can understand if there are seemingly irreconcilable personality differences. Then you all sit down together and work something out. An equitable parting if necessary. What did happen was secretive and dishonest.

Now I find out that Peoples is contesting Kollibri's unemployment. To me, that is small minded and shows that the basic dishonesty has not been addressed. These events have pushed me to conclude that Peoples is not a place that satisfactorily represents my values. I will be canceling my membership and encouraging my friends to do the same.

spArk / spArkle / Kollibri, I know you personally and I'm extremely disappointed in this article. I'm not identifying myself because I don't want to be exposed (outside of this forum) to the same pettiness I see here. There's no mention of specifically what incidents you were supposed to have been fired for, or what philosophical difference you have that supposedly put you at odds with the culture. How is a reader supposed to evaluate anything? Seems to me that this is just the natural tendency of a person to look for a scapegoat, some reason that they're not at fault for something unfortunate that happened to them.

You also don't seem to recognize that state unemployment compensation is intended for those who lose their jobs through no fault of their own (laid off, for example), and that it is just good sense to avoid the expense to the store by contesting if you lost your job due to something you did.

I haven't noticed the bars on the windows, but it sounds to me like the co-op is being proactive in the face of an increasingly poor economy which will lead to more people trying to meet their needs by stealing. I'm relieved that there is more business sense and less hippy-love-overcomes-all "it's all goooooooooooooood" attitude which isn't concerned with the future. I for one want my co-op to do things that are sensible, like preventing theft which increases prices (let people steal from Wild Oats or another unfeeling corporate behemoth). Prison my ass, prisons are for keeping people IN not out and I doubt that anyone is kept locked up in the store.

The free box was kept open for many months, though nearly every day people were piling stuff outside the box that didn't fit when there had been a sign saying that the free box would be closed if stuff continued to be left outside the box. It must have taken a lot of person-power to manage all that stuff, I fault the dimwits who can't read and follow directions and who don't respect that store personnel have more to do than to cart other people's belongings to a thrift store. I was more surprised at how long the free box was left open than that it is now closed. If users of the box would have just shown some consideration it would still be open, no doubt.

On what question can a person not get a straight answer? Is it a bad thing that there are actually departments, with people specializing in certain areas? I seem to always be able to get a response to anything I need, whether it's making a special order, or getting a question answered about a bulk food item. A customer has to have the sense to fill out a card, or have a message passed on, and wait for a store employee or volunteer to get back to them. The people at the store can't know everything all the time. I'm a big fan of efficiency, to me it's not a good thing when prices are higher because store personnel are constantly distracted with things that are not in their area of expertise.

Why don't you post again and tell the whole story: what the store says you were fired for, what difference in philosophy you think you were fired for, why you think anyone (regardless of how feel-good their workplace) should receive unemployment benefits when they were fired. If there is a change in culture at People's, the cite specific examples, things not motivated by pragmatism.

I'm certainly not going to start shopping at New Seasons or any other for-profit store because of what I've read here. There is obviously a lot missing to this story, and I can guess that the reason is the real facts don't paint the picture that the author wants.

The only time you told me how you felt about your parting ways with People's, you said that you were really glad about it, that you had no hard feelings, and that you were excited to be moving on to something else. I don't know how I could have misunderstood you on that.

When I've seen co-op co-management mention you in your absence recently, they're saying things like, "I have a friend who grows amazing food here in Southeast..." or "I have a friend who used to work here...." I haven't seen anyone squirm when you're mentioned.

I guess I don't understand the situation. And I guess I don't understand why this was the place where I first heard of your discontent with the situation. If you want to talk about this with the People's community (member-owners and shoppers), most of us are pretty easy to reach in our neighborhood.

So, anyways, this is really confusing for me, and I look forward getting more clarity about your perspective in person.

My best wishes in obtaining a just outcome, whatever that may be.

hi spArk,

so sorry to hear about you getting fired from the people's coop! like so many others, i had such high hopes for places like the coop. it's really a big let-down! i'm sure all this shit really hurt you deeply.

if you need a good lawyer to help you with your unemployment, please email me at  joyofresistance@yahoo.com. she's free of charge, and helped me to win my unemployment claim years ago when i got "fired."

good luck to you,

for justice/peace,

bette lee

I find it disturbing, not only that a dedicated worker like Spark was fired in a very dubious fashion, but all the more so that no one who was party to that decision has been willing thus far to be forthright about it. I think it's incumbent on the other parties to the conflict to show some transparency here.

I also second Spark's concerns that the Co-op's commitment to community values is in danger of deteriorating. All of the things that Spark mentions here: his own firing, the bars on the windows, the closing of the freebox, may each separately have reasons behind them that are very rational and not blatantly malevolent. But taken together, they seem to add up to a disturbing pattern. I am not the most observant person in the world, so maybe I didn't notice whatever creative efforts were made to resolve these matters in more humane ways.

I'm certainly not ready to quit the co-op. But I truly hope that we can all resolve these problems in a mutually beneficial way, and not sweep them under the rug.

Kolibri-

Liked this group of sentences:

"Check out the bars on the windows that were recently installed. Or the fact that the Free Box was closed and will probably never re-open. Or that street people can't get a glass of water inside without being hassled to pay for it."

This gave me some idea of what your gripes w/People's culture were.

I personally urge anyone at Peoples who is not giving free water to street people to give water! Or run a potable tap outside, or put out a food grade 50 gallon barrel. Tazo tea dumpster has had those in the past. If used barrel is too much of a liability risk, put out a collection box for a new one and I will gladly fork over some $.

Freebox was closed, an employee told me, cause it kept being booby-trapped (by unknown people) w/used hypodermic needles and bottles of urine. This does not contradict (or prove) your contention that it was unnecessarily kept closed, but I'm wondering how it could be reopened w/out putting people at risk for sharing dirty needles by mistake while rummaging for a new sweater?

I've only heard in passing about the events described by Spark. And those stories were equally vague. It appears that everyone involved feels a bit of shame because no one is willing to discuss specifics.

To the Peoples conspirators, I suggest discussing the situation openly, perhaps "leaking" the documentation and meeting notes to this forum especially since Spark has fired this across your bow.

To Spark, I advise trying to maintain a bit more dignity when on the recieving end of a petty dispute. If you've been misrepresented or unjustly persecuted, you'll learn pretty quick who your friends are. Shakespeare's admonition not to "protest too much" is good advice.

It was a shame Spark got fired cause he did a great job on the seed selection this year. I know 3 people, long time co-op members who are not liking the direction the co-op is taking, and that was before they heard about Spark getting fired. They were mad about that too.

I'm not pleased that the co-op got rid of the member discount, but that is a whole separate story.

I'm not privy to lots of critical facts about any of these situations, but as a fully vested member who frequents the co-op, I feel these developments affect me personally, so here's the problem as I see it:

The co-op can't simultaneously claim to be "different" and "caring" and "creative," and "community-friendly" while still just taking the easy way out anytime a chellenge presents itself.

It might well be that people were leaving dangerous items in the freebox that posed a serious liability issue. I have no reason to doubt these reports.

It might well be that Spark was a pain in the ass to work with at times.

It might well be that there is increased risk of theft lately.

There are probably many homeless who are challenging to deal with at times.

Etc, etc.

All these are routine kinds of problems. But for every one of these problems, there is an easy way out, or a hard way. The easy way out is the one that requires no creativity and simply relies on coercion, exclusion, legalisms, etc. The easy way out is the way that any typical business that only cares about profits will take.

If the co-op is to remain true to itself, then that means it can't get off easy. Often it has to take the hard way and potentially expose itself to all kinds of struggles. The people who form the community of workers and owners have to struggle and stretch their minds to come up with solutions that don't sacrifice the sharing spirit of the freebox, that don't leave dedicated and public spirited workers like Spark embittered, that don't force the co-op to wall itself off to the outside.

I think the co-op has successfully confronted such struggles in the past. It must continue. If it starts losing the commitment to do so and taking the easy way out more and more often, then much of what makes it special and worthwhile could be jeopardized.

I'm someone who has dealt firsthand with Spark very closely for several years, and I've had my share of frustrations and conflicts with him. There have been times when I've been at my wit's end with him. But I've not known him to engage in blatantly dishonorable behavior. And I've never doubted his commitment to the co-op. On the contrary, my impression of his work and commitment is that it has been exemplary. I'm hard pressed to think of a reason that could justify the kind of harsh treatment he describes in this article.

It upsets me to see this conflict has erupted into so much bitterness. I would strongly urge all parties to it, including Spark, to seek some kind of mediation through a transparent process, that can address the concerns of all members of the community. You have all worked too hard and given too much towards creating something very special and important to many, many people in this city to simply walk away from it.

If "community" really means something, and is not just an empty word, then it really is incumbent on all of you to seek out such mediation, and to try to engage more of the members of this community who care deeply about the success of Peoples.

Prior to hearing about Spark's situation (and I would like to hear more specifics before making any judgment), I have been noticing disturbing trends at People's:

1) Following the advice of so-called experts to get rid of the discount and replace it with an end-of-the-year profit distribution, if there will be any, which will obviously result in reduced member benefits, and thus serve as a shell-game.
2) Putting up a vote for members on making this change with very complex yet vague descriptions of how it will be played out, because how it will be remains cloudy to board members.
3) Putting this vote on a ballot and then doing much to promote it in the newsletter, with lots of "pro" testimony on its supposed benefits published in the newsletter, but absolutely no testimony from anyone opposed to it.
4) Promising to provide an online forum on the issue, as a result of strong opposition and alternative suggestions voiced among members, but never following through.
5) Giving money away to various charities without receiving member approval to do so, after stating that the purpose of the reduced member-benefit plan was to increase employee salaries and to provide them with health insurance and help start up other sustainable community businesses, not to support charities.

I will probably sell my membership soon, as I did my Food Front membership when it stopped being a true coop, and I will join the Alberta Coop.

spArkle was one of a few Peoples workers who took good care of the volunteer workers, always respectful and kind. Some of the former and present staff are not and yet it's the volunteers who fill in the large gaping holes in the shifts when staff don't show which seems to be frequently, even more so of late. From what I observed over a number of months he was also unfailingly honest in dealing with store matters as if it were his own business even if it cost him time or money. Other workers didn't and don't clean up after themselves but he always did.
Conflict is inevitable anywhere there are humans and the goals of cooperative business are admirable but they sure don't work when there's power imbalances and groupthink. Too bad the board rubberstamps the wishes of a few.
If you want an example of groupthink check out the highly-touted security bars on the window: it's the ideal climbing structure to access the second story at worst and an attractive nuisance (kids will play on it) at best.

I was also disturbed by the vote to get rid of the member discount. Board members were outside really pushing hard for it, twisting arms. I was generally not in favour of the change but I was especially not in favour of the way it was pushed. I don't much like the direction the coop is going, but then again, I don't much like the direction the whole country is going. I guess I had hoped that a place like Peoples would more strongly chart a different course. It is a strong tide moving across the land and only a clear intent can steer free of it.

you said: "they can't talk about personnel matters with anyone".

It's true that there are very sensible laws on the books that protect the privacy of employees and the circumstances of their employment. These laws are for the benefit of employees and I appreciate them.

However, in the case of People's, I have waived my rights to privacy, in writing, on more than one occasion, so that staff there would feel free to say what they wanted to say. In the most recent instance of such a signed waiver, I declared that I consider this situation to be "public information".

So, they *can* talk about personnel matters in this case. If they choose not to, it is their own personal reasons.

/KtS

whether you are attacking kolibri or people's food coop, without knowing the whole story we just end up getting pissed off at each other.

this is not news, people, this is venting. and it distracts us from what is important.

if kolibri has an issue with particular people or people's as a coop, i think he should take it there.

dissing people's food coop for what is probably a complex personel issue without putting the history of the coop into account-- and its hard working staff and volunteers-- is shitty. folding a personel issue into a "i don't like the direction the coop is going" is an ad hominem attack. it is shitty.

and it certainly ain't news!

and i say this with still totally respect kolibri, catwoman, and the rest of you out there who i know are with me in solidarity in the biggest of big pictures.

peace out.

You quoted -
"Why'd they fire me? Officially, it's not clear. No reason was given in my termination letter".

You left out -
"Yes, accusations were made, lists of alleged incidents produced, and stern words delivered. Some framework within which to make it sound professional was constructed. "

So Listening In - obviously Kollibri has the lists of alleged incidents but has chosen not to quote them verbatim (or even at all by paraphrase) in this medium. Once again, I return to the fact that his long held passion for accurate and complete reporting has taken a back seat when the subject matter is himself.

He has chosen specifically to tell a partial story. I think many others would be interested in seeing the exact wording of the termination letter since he makes claims no reason was given.

Do you honestly believe it went something like this?

Dear Sir:

Effectively immediately you are terminated.

Goodbye,

Peoples

I have no idea what allegations were made or what alleged incidents appeared on lists but I do believe they are integral to the accurate reporting. Neither do I have any knowledge one way or another if he is guilty or innocent of the allegations. I still hold true that if Kollibri wished to publicize this, the least he could have done was present all the facts. Does it even concern you that he hasn't? There are two sides to every story and I am unwilling to simply accept his as the complete story due to the gaping holes in it.

You also stated to me: "You can't make allegations without substance in statements only appropriate for personal exchange, and expect your accusations to be taken seriously."

If I can't, why can Kollibri? Why the double standard? This martyr syndrome is tiresome.

I was sceptical when I first read this article due to my feelings over the whole calendula debacle a few years back. But after seeing so many comments from members not only supporting Kollibri, but agreeing with ze on almost every point, and not a word of response from any members involved in the firing, I have to tentatively conclude that the firing was at best not a consensed decision amongst the members, and at worst a railroad action perpetrated by a few. The fact that they contested his unemployment is just fucked up as hell.

I recently started a membership at Peoples, but unless they decide to step up to the plate and provide some verifiable proof that I'm wrong in my current interpretation of the situation, I will be exploring other options for sourcing my food.

it may be difficult for people who were not involved with your situation to empathize with you.
perhaps at worst you may come across as a bitter ex employee who is trying to get back.

i know why you were fired.
in my opinion, it was extremely unjust and underhanded.

putting all of that aside, i think you have opened up a very important debate.
this IS news..

there is no doubt that there are people who are dissatisfied/worried with the direction peoples is headed..
maybe this can be the start of bringing all this out into the light.

first we have the member discount.
i also was very disappointed with the way this decision was handled.
the newsletters and info put out about this proposal did seem to be extremely one sided as someone had mentioned earlier. felt a bit like propaganda to me.
the reason for the termination of the discount... "to have a strong coop"
what does that mean?
strong for whom?
people who do not depend on the discount..
what about the people who are living paycheck to patcheck with a very limited food budget who still are making the sacrifice to buy consciously..


and the store....
i think people have to realize that when you buy things from a coop, it will be more expensive..
organic "fair trade" items are in reality more expensive..
you are paying for the safety of the land and the people working on that land..
however, i feel that fancy new decorations for the store are totally unnecessary. why does the store have to be beautiful? who are you trying to bring in with this?
all this time and money spent on beautifying the store...
is this what the movement is about?

i feel spark said it well with

"People's Food Co-op is undergoing a transition in which the cultural components are being abandoned bit by bit as a more business-centered approach is being adopted. In fairness to People's this trend could be interpreted as representing the changing demographic of its shoppers, who are increasingly wealthier as that part of SE Portland continues to gentrify"

i feel this is something we must confront..
this discussion should continue...

Yo, FENBAR, get off the academic high horse. the story posted here is not an attack. it is a simple statement of facts. and some feelings, too, which is great. absolutely it is news when someone who is well-loved is attacked. if you really knew and loved him, you would trust him at face value without this crap about "knowing the whole story". kollibri gave you the whole story. read it again.

its hard for me to believe you are "in solidarity in the biggest of big pictures" with k. and co. how can you be, when you're clearly not listening (reading) ?

While Fenbar makes some sense if this were really a matter of simple "ad homeneim attacks," I do not think that is the case here. The point is, People's has had a certain currency in the community because of what it was supposed to be. That is, a worker-owned co-opertive, with the best interests of the workers, the community, and the earth at heart. That's why we all supported it even in the face of encroaching corporate co-optation by New Seasons. Because we expected places like Whole Foods and New Seasons to be self-interested and mercenary. That's what they are. But that's not supposed to be what People's was about, and that's the ONLY reason I ever chose to pay so much more to shop there than to shop around the corner at New Seasons.

I, for one, am grateful to know if that was all just a facade. I would prefer to know, and to take my sparse dollars elsewhere. Yes, I was wondering about the bars on the windows, and I asked them several times about the free box. I had noticed some changes in the wind. But I had not put it together in the context in which I now see it. I did not realize they were also treating their workers in the same disrespectful manner as any greedy, thoughtless, selfish, corporate swine. I am grateful that Kollibri has pointed this out.

I agree that it's better not to air personal issues with each other publically when it can be avoided. But I do not see this as a personal issue. It's an issue that effects all of us, if a local community business is masquerading as a progressive, worker-friendly environment when it is, in fact, no longer any different than any number of faceless, bottom-line-sucking corporate pigs. This is not an indictment of everyone who works at People's. I know there are still some truly committed people there. And I hope that they will take back their co-operative from the short-sighted asses who seem to have taken hold there.

Until they do, I will be buying my groceries elsewhere.

(I do have a question, though. Does People's benefit from the Wednesday Farmer's markets? Or does that money just go to the farmers?)

Kollibri's job performance was certainly in the top half of staff. There were no major accusations of wrong doing, just little things that everyone does sometimes. But if someone is after you, then the time you were late is marked against you, even if other people are routinely late. You know how it goes.

For a long time Kollibri was working Friday and Saturday nights. Many people don't want to work those shifts. There was a period, maybe a couple months, where Peoples was short staffed on Saturday. I remember Kollibri talking about how grueling it was for 2 to be doing the work of 3 and how a couple nights it was 1 doing the job of 3 cause someone had gone home sick. A few times friends, including myself stopped by to help close, you know, cause community is like that.

Peoples gets a lot of slack because people believe in it. But that is an abusive working situation that many regular employers would be challenged on. Kollibri went far above what is expected. He put in lots of unpaid hours cause he believed in the place and wanted to do something extra for the community members who shop there. He deserved positive recognition, not firing. Now Peoples is challenging his unemployment on some legalese. That is not the action of a place that deserves people to stop by and give their time to help out. I wont be doing it anymore. If they are treating my friend that way, then they have become just another bottom line business.

As I mentioned before, I'm not privy to any of the details about the situation that Kolibri is. And I respect his passion for the great work he did at Peoples and don't question it.

Still, there is critical information that is missing. "There's two sides to every story," as the saying goes. But there's only one side that you're seeing here. For whoever is reading this and thinking or saying, "that's f***ed up! Why should I go there now, if all this is true?!" I know from firsthand experience that Kolibri can be a difficult person, and on at least one occasion I've personally been the target of a frightening outburst of anger from him.

I don't know if that is relevant or not, because no one on the other side of this dispute has said anything. But I'm just saying this because I AM privy to enough of an understanding of the key person in this dispute to think of some kind of potential buildup of tensions that could have resulted in this outcome, not that the outcome is fair to him. But did any of the participants, including Kolibri, really try to come up with creative ways to defuse the situation(s), whatever they were? We don't know, those of us not closer to them. We don't know anything, because all the relevant details are hidden from view here.

Furthermore, it may be just as well that all those details have NOT come out here. Because this is probably not the right venue for this whole dispute in the first place. Which gets back to what I said about the need for mediation. Face-to-face mediation is needed, a transparent process that can address the concerns of members of this community who care deeply about the success of the co-op. Has anything like this been pursued?

The current status and approach that is being taken is not helpful. Obviously Kolibri has been badly hurt and is airing his grievances, which may be highly legitimate. But the co-op is also potentially being badly hurt here, and that is uncalled for unless and until other recourses have been exhausted.

Instead, some kind of self-criticism is really called for, and I'm not just directing that statement towards Kolibri, but more generally. Let's face it: we who frequent, or help maintain, this website are what can be generically described as "left activists." We also claim to care about "community." But is it true? Are we doing enough? Are we being smart about how we go about it? Or are we alienating people unnecessarily?

I once heard some well-meaning person who worked for some government agency or other say something to the effect of "activists are not really problem solvers." That statement got to me, and there is some truth in it. We can be good at raising a ruckus, and drawing attention to a problem that needs the light of day to be shed on it. That can often be a very good thing in itself. But, having drawn attention to a problem, do we know how to fix it? Do we really even try? That question becomes especially vital when the problem is one in our personal lives and our own immediate communities.

I see a lot of very destructive attitudes here in the comments to this article. It seems like we know how to feel bitterness about unjust situations, we know how to vent our negative emotions about them, we know how to tear down and attack. But here in a situation where "problem solving" is really called for, in the case of a really precious community resource such as I consider the co-op and all the people involved in it, we are not making a very good display of this "problem solving." In fact, we are validating the very disturbing criticism of that well meaning government worker I mentioned.

Um, yes, GB, there was a mediation. Feel-good "solution" to everything. But guess what? It didn't change a thing. The problems at the co-op go deep. What happened to Kollibri is fucked up. And how can you sit there "not being privy to facts" and make the assumption that it must be Kollibri's fault? Are you not reading this? Even if you keep an open mind with regard to the other criticisms leveled here, you cannot escape the fact that People's, a co-op from which we expected better, has worked to deny someone unemployment insurance! Someone, I might add, who is unemployed precisely because of the actions of a small and nasty faction at People's. This is tantamount to doubly denying someone the income they need to live on. And that is, almost by definition, fucked up.

suing the coop basically insures that we will never know both sides, as with legal proceedings it doesnt allow them to divulge personnel type issues.

Kollibri states that he qualified for Unemployment. Basically all that amounts to is a computation of wages earned during four quarters to arrive at an amount to calculate weekly benefit amounts. It means he worked enough hours and made enough wages, nothing more, nothing less.

The former employer is sent notification regarding an individual's request to claim benefits. It is a benefit available to workers out of work through no fault of their own. The money for benefits comes from employers. No contributions for unemployment insurance come from employee wages.

You are disqualified if:

You voluntarily left work without good cause;
Your employer discharged or suspended you for misconduct connected with your work;
You failed without good cause to accept suitable work when offered; or
You failed without good cause to apply for suitable work when referred to a job by the Employment Department.

From an objective standpoint, Peoples Co-Op cannot falsify statements to the State and claim he wasn't fired. The action already occurred. It's a done deal and based on the information Peoples supplied to Unemployment regarding his separation it falls within the scope of denial of benefits.

Kollibri has four options.

1) Attend the Denial Hearing - where the judge will be wading through all the dead trees worth of paper that were presented as "documentation and my guess is the judge will uphold the denial.

2) Sue for wrongful termination - but again, those dead trees will be speaking so he would have to have a very strong case.

3) Go get a seasonal job that he'll get laid off from in a few months and allow him to meet the following conditions: Benefits are denied until you earn at least four times your weekly benefit amount in wages and you have no new disqualifying separation from work. For example, if your weekly benefit amount is $200, you must earn at least $800 to requalify. You must earn this money by working for someone else; you cannot use self-employment to requalify for benefits. You must do this work after the week in which you were discharged, suspended, voluntarily left work or failed to accept or apply for suitable work.

4) Obtain other permanent employment.

As regards Peoples Co-Op:

If the membership community of Peoples is distressed about the Firing what actions are you taking other than bolting and running away? The website for Peoples currently shows that applications are being taken for the Board of Directors. If you feel that the Co-op is moving towards actions that are not consistent with its inception, won't you stand up and fight for People's?

Many times a group of people birth an idea and in the beginning, because it is smaller in nature, alot of effort is put forth. There comes a time when it appears to be running smooth and more and more join the circle. People turn towards their natural tendencies and let "others" take over as they move their attention to different aspects of their lives. Then there comes a time like now when suddenly some are saying LOOK WHAT IS HAPPENING and start crying foul.

Taking into account that many activists are members of Peoples and that through the years they have organized, leafleted and protested on many different global, national and local fronts it is amazing they "allowed" so much to occur that goes against their beliefs.

If you are willing to stand up and fight for Peoples - never leave it on auto-pilot again.

As regards Kollibri personally - There are people who will support him and those that won't. There are people who have seen his kind side while others have seen his other side. There are those that have viewed him as a good employee and those that have not. It boils down to a he said/she said. It isn't about a popularity contest.

I think the funniest post I viewed in all of this was:
"You know, the really funny thing is, I never liked shopping at People's, but I never said so because you were always so positive about that place. I mean, I loved the green and beautiful building design, the eco roof, and the free box (now gone). And I even liked a lot of the people who worked there (especially you). But the prices there were way too high, and there was always a thin air of pretentiousness that was hard to look past."

It came from a supporter willing to silence her opposition to a place simply because her friend liked it, but now that he doesn't, she is willing to speak out.
Why does this feel like Junior High?

there are several inaccurate and/or misleading statements in spark's original posting and some of the reponses.

first of all, the intent of the bars on the windows is to allow the window to remain open at night to help cool the store down during the summer, which would save energy. anyone could have found this out for themselves by asking a co-op staff person, instead of going off on People's without any actual information.

on the member discount issue, to me the words "arm twisting" refering to the board is laughable. yes, the board obviously did have an opinion and promoted it, but this hardly qualifies it as a back door deal slammed down the membership's throat. the ultimate vote came to the members, who voted in favor by a large margin with what seemed to be a large number of voters (compared to most elections at the co-op). there were many opportunites for members to express themselves about and discuss the issue. and i can hardly imagine what leverage they would have been using to strong-arm members - physical violence? extortion? evil glares in the store? um, i doubt it - merely over-the-top accusations.

as some people mentioned, the free box was indeed closed due to needles, urine, piles of crap, and other problems that were getting worse and worse. i know that there is interest in opening it again with community volunteer efforts. so if people want to step forward and participate in the upkeep of the free box, it might open again. but safety and prioritized uses of the co-op's resources should come first. again, anyone could have learned about this had they asked anyone at the co-op.

on the employment issue, i am not a lawyer, but i seriously doubt that sparkle saying he waives all rights to confidentiality would protect the co-op from legal recourse should co-op staff speak publicly about these issues. it seems more to me like baiting the co-op to do it, knowing they are in a difficult position to speak openly about it. those do not seem like cooperative or community building tactics to me. and wouldn't co-op members be upset if their co-op lost a bunch of money from a lawsuit because the staff talked about legal issues?

i appreciate the comments from "GB" and others, that the whole tone of this debate is nasty. we should be working to have an active yet respectful converstaion about tought issues like this when they come up. there are more than 2 sides to every story, and we should be open to all those perspectives instead of name-calling and making inaccurate assupmtions.

i would also love to see some responses by spark to the postings that took issue with some of the things he wrote. it would be interesting to see his thoughts on perspectives that differ from his. (yes, i am baiting you.)

I think the fact that someone from People's acknowledges that she or he is "baiting" Kollibri says a lot. I also think the fact that they refer to the post by GB, who has a personal axe to grind against Kollibri, also says a lot about just how much either GB or Another Member really want to address these issues in a positive and respectful manner as they say they do.

In fact, there is a power disparity between People's and Kollibri that neither Another Member nor GB have bothered to acknowledge. When an institution weilds power over an individual's livlihood, it is not fair to complain that the individual is being "negative" when she or he tries to tell their story about being denied that livlihood. The issue here is that People's is attempting to unfairly and unjustifiably deny Kollibri the income that he needs. What Kollibri has left out is a lot of very underhanded details about the dealings of People's with him prior to this latest act of disrespect and disregard for their workers. I think that speaks highly of Kollibri. I'm not sure I could have been so gracious.

i actually was just joking saying i was "baiting" him for a response. i realized just after i sent it that it might be misinterpreted, so please accepct my clarification - i honestly just would like to see kollibri respond to some of the posted opinions that challenge his viewpoint. that's all.

i have no personal axe to grind. i find him to be an energetic and creative person who does a lot of great community work, including (and especially) growing food in the city. but i also don't agree with everything he says or does (or some of the other people weighing in), and i am participating in the discussion with my viewpoint and information.

To clarify a factual matter:

Before People's made its appeal, the 'State of Oregon' did their investigation and made the administrative decision that I am indeed eligible for unemployment. I was contacted by telephone by someone from the Department of Employment, who asked me about the details of my discharge. I answered his questions honestly, and have rec'd (and cashed) one check so far. Peoples's is disputing that decision, hoping to have it reversed. If they succeed, I will owe money back to the State.

Point being: as far as the State is concerned, being fired did not make me ineligible for unemployment. There was some confusion about this issue in some of the comments above.

--

Re. the requests for more details:
I have said everything I'm going to say (unless other small factual matters such as the above come up). As stated, this story is for those who knew me from the store, and it might not be of interest to people outside that small community. I am sharing with complete honesty my feelings about the situation. Those who know me know that they can trust me to tell the truth. Those who want a bunch of he said/she said stuff are outside of my concern. I am not trying to convince anyone of anything or make some sort of case (ya hear that, GB?); I am merely sharing with those who would like to hear about it. This website reaches a large audience and was the best way for me to do this.

I appreciate the support I've rec'd in this forum, and in person. I am blessed with the presence of many people of personal integrity in my life, and appreciate the mutual respect and trust that blooms and abounds, especially in a situation like this one. I am entirely satisfied, and could not ask for more. Situations like these are gifts; the clarification that emerges is truly beautiful to experience. I thank you all for your parts in that. (That's ALL of you, regardless of your opinion!)

With much love and best wishes!
Eat well,
Kollibri terre Sonnenblume

The fierceness of your partisanship on behalf of your friend blinds you to the possibility that there might be anything else relevant to say about the matter, and leads you to instantly insist that anyone who maintains otherwise is acting in bad faith. Your black-and-white oppositional approach seems to totally preclude the notion that someone might have both legitimate criticisms and praise for the same person whom you are so maniacally championing. Take a deep breath and stop the attack-dog stance! I've made it clear I'm not happy about the situation Kolibri describes. How do you think attacking me is going to help Kolibri??

Of course there's a "power imbalance." Anyone can see that. It's one worker against several others. If Kolibri hadn't been outnumbered by opponents there, this situation wouldn't exist. But that doesn't mean the best approach in this case is your take-no-prisoners attitude. This is Peoples Co-op we're talking about, not WalMart!

ill miss seeing you in the hood. i remember bonding with you about the bad vibes eminating from powell blvd. one day. best regards sparkle. see you around maybe at RandB.