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When BC liquor employees called the lieutenant governor a "f*cking b*tch"

Author: Lee Harding 2010/04/14

If you never heard of this one, you're in for an amusing read. The lieutenant governor remained gracious while drunken BC liquor employees stumbled and yelled profanities and heckles during an official government function honouring those who had served long in the civil service. The full report is here, but this excerpt says enough. Don't miss the end where liquor privatization is feared.

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...each employee was called forward by name. He or she ascended steps to the stage; walked to the centre to receive a plaque and service pin; had their photograph taken with the Lieutenant-Governor and Minister; passed through the receiving line; descended the opposite side of the stage; and returned to his or her seat.


When Mr. Howie was called forward he fell on the steps and then rose with hands raised to cheers from some of his fellow employees. Mr. Stovman testified that, from where he was seated, he saw Mr. Howie fall and crawl up the steps before rising with hands up like a gymnast does after making a landing. This was followed by a “hoot, holler and cheers of Howie, Howie” from other employees at the tables. Mr. Stovman immediately said to his wife that he believed Mr. Howie had fallen on purpose.

Mr. Zelenika was in the receiving line on the opposite side of the stage when he saw Mr. Howie lunge at the top step, crawl four or five feet then stand up and wave to a roar from some employees. He was shocked. This was the
most extreme behaviour he had witnessed in his five years attending Long Service Awards ceremonies.


Mr. Howie had his picture taken with the Lieutenant-Governor and Minister. Then each held one of his elbows and steered into the arms of the Sergeant-at-Arms who escorted him off the stage. He returned to his seat. In his testimony in chief at the arbitration, Mr. Howie said he was feeling the effects of the alcohol and he stumbled as he went up the stairs. He tried to get up and recalled that it was difficult. His recollection was fuzzy and he though he might have been helped up. He identified the photograph that had been taken, but was unable to recall or identify the man in the picture with him and the Lieutenant-Governor.


When he returned to his seat, Mr. Howie went to the bar for more drinks, but the bartender told him he was cut off and denied service. Mr. Howie unsuccessfully pleaded with the bartender.


The individual presentations were followed by speeches by a manager receiving a long service award, senior executives and the Minister. The formal ceremonies, before dinner and dancing, concluded with closing remarks by the Lieutenant-Governor.

...Mr. Stovman was seated at a table across the room from Mr. Howie. He testified the speeches were heckled by employees form the Vancouver Distribution Centre. At first the tone was muffled, but became louder. When it did, he turned in his seat and saw Mr. Howie was sitting in a visible place and making comments under his breath.

His testimony of what happened next is captured in his written report of October 24, 2005 as follows:


AL HOWIE who was seated to my right started to talk in a loud and
deliberate voice, directing rude and profane comments towards the
Minister of Protocol the Honourable John Van DONGEN. HOWIE was
saying this is full of shit, and that Gordon CAMPBELL is full of shit. He
would stand up and yell fuck this.

This prompted the Director of Human Resources Gord ZELENIKA to walk
over to HOWIE and tell him to stop, Gord was forced to sit with HOWIE in
an attempt to prevent any further misconduct. While Gord was babysitting
HOWIE, he once again started to mumble and curse as the Lieutenant
Governor General of British Columbia, the Honourable Iona
CAMPAGNOLO came to the podium. HOWIE was warned again by Gord
ZELENIKA to sit down and be quiet.

HOWIE’S comments consisted of profanities and rude remarks directed at
the Honourable speakers and the premier of British Columbia the
Honourable Gordon CAMPBELL. During the course of HOWIE’S
interruptions, he would physically jump to his feet in what looked like a
deliberate attempt to interrupt and embarrass the Honourable speakers.


Mr. Howie does not recall what he said or did during the speeches and the Lieutenant-Governor’s closing remarks or that Mr. Zelenika was sitting with him.


Mr. Stovman heard another employee seated behind him heckle the Lieutenant-Governor in a voice loud enough to be heard by everyone. When this employee said the Lieutenant-Governor could “have my pin you fucking bitch”, Mr. Stovman and Shipping Foreman Steve Panichelli each told her to shut up. Mr. Stovman testified that in the  room with attendees quietly listening to the speakers, the comments by Mr. Howie and others could be heard  clearly.

Mr. Stovman was angry by the behaviour of his fellow employees and knew his evening was ruined because he would have to recall and report what he had witnessed. He was unable to find a pen and paper so, as he had been
trained, he focused on events one at a time so he would have a clear recollection. After dinner he was asked to investigate the alleged theft of silverware by the same employee he had told to shut up. He and his wife did not
stay for the dancing.


Mr. Stovman testified this special night for him and his wife was ruined. He was angry and embarrassed for the Lieutenant-Governor, who he describes as a ”classy lady”, and by the disapproving looks of employees from other
branches.


During the speeches, Mr. Zelenika was seated at the first table on the same side of the room as Mr. Howie. He heard mumbling and disrespectful comments like “fuck this.”...He turned and saw Mr. Howie standing and saying “what about the fucking teachers?” He walked back; took a seat at Mr. Howie’s table; and tried to calm Mr. Howie with the help of Mr. Howie’s guest.

The Lieutenant-Governor remarked in her comments that it was always entertaining when liquor Distribution Branch employees were receiving awards. Mr. Zelenika was convinced she heard the comments. He was embarrassed for
his branch that is constantly threatened with being privatized and needs to maintain a good image to stay in business as part of the public service.


Mr. Panichelli was at the event to receive recognition for his twenty-five years of service... He
was engaged trying to quiet another loud employee and picking up a third drunken employee who had fallen out of his chair.

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There's much more in the 17 page report from 2006. Comments??!!


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