Landmark Decision
Landmark ruling by Labour Relations Board a victory for BC’s labour movement
July 30, 2019 | News Release
Vancouver – BC’s Labour Relations Board (LRB) has upheld the right of the BCFED to use a “hot edict” to put economic pressure on unfair employers during labour disputes. On July 29, the LRB ruled on a challenge by Western Forest Products (WFP) that sought to limit the scope of the hot edict and have it struck down.
Over 2,600 Steelworkers employed by WFP on Vancouver Island are on strike to save their pensions, seniority rights and long-term disability from being cut by the company. The BCFED’s hot edict, issued on July 10th, calls on affiliated unions across the province to stand together with the striking forest workers by refusing to handle coastal lumber, logs and wood products emanating from the struck unionized logging and sawmill operations of WFP.
“This ruling recognizes and upholds the power of the labour movement to use a key solidarity action to help one another during a dispute with an unfair employer,” said Laird Cronk, President of the BCFED.
“BC’s labour movement took a stand for these workers and their families facing the threat of losing their pensions. We hope this hot edict brings the company back to the negotiation table without the draconian concessions.”
The LRB ruling is significant as it upholds not only the legality of the edict itself but the ability of unions to treat goods, produced by a struck operation before the strike commenced, as hot. “This ruling is a victory for working people in this province. It shows when workers stand up for each other, we can make a real impact,” said Cronk.
A full copy of the Labour Relations Board ruling is available upon request.
