VANCOUVER – In a decision rendered late Wednesday, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta issued an interim order that addresses the concerns that led to Telus disabling access to the www.voices-for-change.com web site.
Telus had blocked the union-supported site from view of any of its Internet subscribers.
According to a Telus press release, the Alberta Court order prohibits the Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU) and its members and anyone else having knowledge of the order from posting for public viewing on any website any photographs or identifying features with the intent of intimidating or threatening Telus employees, contractors, customers, suppliers and others.
"Telus’ decision to disable access to the Voices for Change site was based on an overriding need to protect the safety and privacy of our employees who were being targeted and the subject of intimidation," said Janet Yale, executive vice-president, corporate affairs. "With this injunction in place, Telus has re-enabled access to the site from the Telus network for Telus customers and Internet Service Providers."
The Court order also covers a range of other activities, including prohibitions against the TWU and picketers from:
* Picketing at, on or near Telus premises or the premises of its customers in Alberta in such a manner that would unduly blockade, obstruct or impede access to and from the premises;
* Unduly blockading, obstructing or impeding people in the vicinity of Telus premises or its customers’ premises, at or on streets, sidewalks, parking lots, roads or highways;
* Trespassing on Telus property or the property of its customers;
* Intimidating, threatening or having physical contact with Telus employees, contractors, customers, suppliers, and others at, near, or entering or exiting Telus premises or its customers’ premises;
* Aiding, abetting, counseling, procuring, inducing, supporting, encouraging or conspiring with others to bring about any of the above.
Telus has also separately reached an agreement with Mr. David DiMaria, the operator of voices-for-change.com, which will see the removal from that site of all content, including photographs, posted with the intent of intimidating or threatening Telus employees – whether or not they are continuing to work during the strike – as well as Telus contractors and others.
"This agreement provides the certainty we sought, thereby allowing us to re-enable access to the Voices For Change website. Telus will discontinue its court action against Mr. DiMaria upon his fulfilling the terms of this agreement," Yale said.
The terms of the agreement include:
* Removing from all areas of the Voices for Change website within 72 hours all content that has been posted since July 1, 2005 with the intent of intimidating or threatening Telus employees, contractors, agents or otherwise, whether or not those persons are continuing to work during the strike;
* Removing links to sites that contain similar content of which Mr. DiMaria is aware;
* A definition of offending content that covers any photographs with the intent of intimidating or threatening Telus employees, contractors, agents, or others, posted without express consent;
* Removal within 48 hours of the same type of content, posted before July 1, as identified by Telus.
