Following a remedial certification decision by the British Columbia Labour Relations Board, the United Steelworkers union (USW) is pleased to welcome workers from West Bin Waste 2017 Ltd. (Westbin), a waste disposal company operating out of Prince George, B.C.
The decision came after an employee was terminated with no explanation following a union-organizing drive by a group of workers at Westbin.
“The remedial certification is a significant victory for workers at Westbin allowing them to finally join the USW and benefit from the collective bargaining power that comes with union membership,” said Scott Lunny, USW District Director for Western Canada.
“We have clear language in our Labour Code that protects workers and this ruling serves as a reminder to all employers that it is illegal for any company, including Westbin, to interfere with their employees’ right to join a union,” added Lunny.
The B.C. NDP government has made significant amendments to the Labour Code including remedial certifications with clear and meaningful penalties for employers who interfere in organizing drives.
“No worker should be subjected to intimidation for supporting a union and their right to organize and to collectively bargain for better working conditions, benefits and wages. I am thrilled to see the ruling from the B.C. Labour Relations Board to uphold the rights of workers in our province. Our local union looks forward to helping the workers at Westbin achieve a first collective agreement,” said Brian O’Rourke, President of USW Local 1-2017.
The remedial certification applies to 19 workers at Westbin who will become members of USW Local 1-2017.
In addition to the remedial certification, the Labour Relations Board ordered Westbin to reinstate the terminated worker, with compensation for all wages and benefits lost by reason of their unlawful dismissal.
The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of our strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions.
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