Dammit! I just learned that my employer is heavily involved in funding tar sands projects

[arcane1]

I'm one fucking chapter away from finishing Naomi Klein's new book, and waiting for me at work today was one of those internal newsletters companies like to send out. One of the items therein discusses a partnership with Enbridge Southern Lights, with this paragraph and an accompanying picture (I linked to a version of the picture online since I can't link to internal documents):

The project debt funded the construction of the Southern Lights Pipeline, a 1,588-mile pipeline that transports diluent (a thinning agent) from the Midwestern United States to the oil sands in Alberta, Canada. Large amounts of diluent are needed to thin the heavy crude petroleum produced in the oil sands because it is often too thick to be pumped easily by pipeline.




This SUCKS!!!!!!

And these people have the nerve to tell us to turn off unused lights, because we're all about the environment? We even have a department devoted to "greening" the company's operations, and there is no end to the self-ass-kissing that goes along with that.

The article has a comments section. I'm so tempted to leave a comment, but I'm hesitant since it could reflect poorly on me. And that hesitance makes me feel like shit

What would you do in my situation? I'm already thinking about looking for a new job because I might get stuck working a 5am shift. Now THIS??

[yeoman6987]

1. Begin looking around for new employment

Keep the job until then. Give to weeks notice and enjoy your new job. I did it recently (not for the great reason you will), but one of my reasons was that I DREADED going to work every day. I would look at the calendar a month out seeing when my Boss was gone whether an hour or all day. I only looked forward to those times. After thinking about it and how short life is. I looked for another job. My pay is pretty close to what I was making before. About 30 dollars less every two weeks, but my happiness went up. The two week notice SUCKED! Treated like shit....literally. Good Luck to you!

[arcane1]

11. It's the opposite for me, I love this job.

Hell, I recently got promoted, and I have a freakin' pension! This just completely sucks. Working for a bank was bad enough, but at least I had the knowledge that wee weren't involved in the sub-prime mess, etc. But as we grow larger, we grow more evil

[enid602]

2. canada

Move to Canada. They're so trendy, progressive, educated and well adjusted, and they don't seem to feel the need to get worked up regarding this issue.

[arcane1]

3. Gee, that was helpful.

[Cleita]

4. Poll your fellow workers to find out how they feel about this, discreetly

of course, if you otherwise like your job. If you find a majority of your fellow workers feel like you. do, you can take your disgust to the management. Numbers in agreement will give you leverage and give the company something to think about.

Otherwise, your only other recourse might be to look for another job. Oh, about that two weeks notice thing, do it only if convenient for yourself. If you have another job lined up and they want you sooner, do it. Your company won't hesitate to give you five minutes notice if they let you go, so you don't owe them anything unless you signed something legal with them about it.

[arcane1]

6. That's the sad part: I love my job and my coworkers.

On the other hand, there is a possibility that in the next few weeks I'll get moved to east coast hours, and I'll have to find new work anyway. I can't handle coming in at 5:30am!!

Since this announcement was published on our internal social network, there is a discussion thread associated with it. All the comments so far have been positive (as expected!). I'm thinking about adding a comment that I find this news disappointing.

[Brickbat]

5. What job do you have, and where do you work? Do you enjoy it?

[arcane1]

8. I'm at what was a small regional bank, that's now getting huge via mergers, acquisitions, etc

And I LOVE my job!

[Wellstone ruled]

7. Must work for a sub of Flint Hill.

Krotch Bros. have a piece of every Crude or pipeline operation in the Midwest. BTW,is this so called dilutetant plain old Diesel or is it Propane? Heard the Oil Jobbers in the Midwest are loaded with Diesel and looking for any excuse to jack the prices again. My old contacts out in the Patch are saying they are using Diesel for a Fracking fluid. Check out who really owns Enbridge in think you would not be surprised. China? Koch Bros? Wall Street Banksters?

[arcane1]

9. I don't know any other details, we're just involved in the funding.

But that's bad enough

[arcane1]

10. And yet THIS is our "Corporate Responsibility" statement on the environment:

As a major bank with significant reach it is important that our business practices contribute to a healthy environment and sustainable future. (Name redacted) views the protection of the environment as one of our priorities. We focus on strategies and initiatives that:

•Reduce the direct impact our operations have on the environment through efforts such as energy efficiency, waste minimization, and water conservation

•Support innovative financing solutions for clients with environmental attributes (e.g. renewable energy, resource efficiency, waste management, sustainable agriculture)

•Specialize in expertise that can help others in the bank better manage risk (e.g. reputation and credit) from known and emerging environmental (and social) issues

•Deliver social benefits to communities through environmental programs that also support brand differentiation efforts

•Build awareness among employees about resource conservation in the office and at home and encouraging environmentally sensitive behaviors


What horse-shit