Alleged Assault - GlobalTV Transcript

If one's position fails to persuade attack the character of your opponent.

Note:
This is a review of how the City and the Union handled an incident and is not meant in anyway to minimize the allegations.

The City of Vancouver held a press conference regarding the alleged assault on a pregnant woman outside the City's Animal Control Shelter at 2:00 pm Monday July 30th.

Messaging:
The City is on the side of law and order and will protect it's exempt staff and the public, by multiple means, from "this sort of behaviour." Mr. Dubrovolny had enough pauses within his short commentary to add gravity and concern.

The Union either was not interviewed or not available as News Anchor Jill Krop simply read CUPE's standard response. Deny. Deny. Deny.

Weaknesses:
Neither side provided any information on the condition of the woman involved or offered any concern for her current well being.

The Union would have been wiser to respond: "We are investigating these allegations." They could have then set a time to meet with a news crew live or by phone before GlobalTV's deadline. An updated response or repeating that they were still investigating would then have been better than to deny and deflect. Denial always appears as if the the truth is being concealed.

Winner:
City of Vancouver. The press conference may simply be inflated allegations, but, the Union made no effort to tell it's story. When conducting a media war for the hearts and minds of taxpayers - SILENCE IS NOT GOLDEN.

Transcript from Global TV 5:00pm July 31.


IMAGE: PICKETERS OUTSIDE HASTINGS COMMUNITY CENTRE
(Closest Vancouver Community Centre to Global TV's Burnaby offices.)

AUDIO: JILL KROP READING

While labour peace is breaking out all over the tone in the Vancouver Civic strike (sic) getting decidedly ugly.

Today the City is accusing members of the union of assaulting a pregnant woman.

The Union denying the accusation

GLOBAL VIDEO EDIT -

IMAGE: MEDIUM SHOT - JERRY DUBROVOLNY WITH CITY OF VANCOUVER BACKGROUND

AUDIO: JERRY DUBROVOLNY

There is no excuse
(pause)
under any circumstances
(pause)
for vandalism of public or private property
(pause)
or intimidation of the public.

GLOBAL VIDEO EDIT

The city will take every step necessary in the courts
(pause)
with the police
(pause)
or with the Labour Relations Bureau to ensure that the public
(pause)
and out exempt staff are protected from this sort of behaviour.

GLOBAL TV VIDEO EDIT

IMAGE: JILL KROP - MEDIUM SHOT

AUDIO: JILL KROP - READING

Now the Union says the allegations are a desperate attempt to shift the focus away from the bargaining table.

The Vancouver Police Department are aware of the allegations.

No charges are pending.