The BC Labour Relations Board (LRB) has overturned a 2024 decision that dismissed a union’s application to certify workers at a hydraulic supply and services company with a Prince George outlet.
The Feb. 28 decision by an LRB tribunal, headed by chair Jennifer Glougie, allowed the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1-417’s application for reconsideration.
USW applied to certify all employees, except office staff, at the the Norcan Fluid Power Ltd. Kamloops branch. Of the 20 staff, nine are in the union’s proposed bargaining unit, as machinists, mechanics, welders, shippers/receivers and an outside salesperson, who worked in the shop from time to time.
The remainder were either not shop workers or excluded managers.
The union submitted that the original panel made errors of fact and reasoning, along with overall balancing of access to collective bargaining and industrial stability.
The reconsideration hinged upon work performed by a receptionist, technical sales and design worker.
“When considered as a whole, we find the community of interest factors support a finding that the proposed unit is appropriate for bargaining,” Glougie statred in her decision.
