Wish I would have noticed this thread earlier because I can totally relate !!!
My building -- at least the area where I work at -- is also a friend*ing free-for-all, anything goes mess.
It wasn't always like that. Things just started going downhill this past year.
What happened you ask?
The full-time Supervisor who's in charge of my shift changed. I can't state it any simpler than that.
What used to be a somewhat intense, by-the-book, stoic kind of boss suddenly transformed into a gossiping, sneaky, bitter person who changes rules & procedures on a whim and who defends the actions of the absolute worst employees!
I stay away from him. I don't make eye contact with him. If he tells me to do something, I say okay and get away from him as quickly as possible! LOL.