Last month, the Alberta Labour Relations Board published on their website a decision regarding unionbusting.
The decision never used the term unionbusting, but it sure sounds like unionbusting.
At the centre of this decision was DNA Plumbing & Heating Ltd., which is based out of Sylvan Lake.
Earlier this year, some of their workers had filed an application with the ALRB for union certification.
They filed the application through Local 488 of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
According to last month’s decision, the ALRB claimed that DNA Plumbing had terminated the employment of one of the workers who was part of the unionization drive, which breached Alberta’s Labour Relations Code.
Local 488 had requested that DNA Plujmbing reinstate the worker’s employment as part of the resolution in the case; although, ultimately, the workers “elected” to not seek reinstatement.
That being said, the resolution told DNA Plumbing that they needed to provide site access to no more than 2 representatives from Local 488, so they can meet with workers for up to 75 minutes to discuss unionization. These representatives will be allowed to use this time to persuade workers to unionize, and the workers will be able to sign union cards at the meeting.
It is sort of ironic given that back in January, DNA Plumbing filed an application (or rather, a lawyer filed it on their behalf) with the ALRB accusing Local 496 of campaigning at places of employment during working hours without consent of the employer and making “unlawful promises” to workers in an effort to exert undue influence in the unionization process.
Representatives from DNA Plumbing management (including shop forepersons) cannot attend the union meeting, be “in the vicinity of the meeting area”, or send any representative to attend in their behalf.
DNA Plumbing must also post the consent order in the workplace.
The meeting is to occur after the lunch break, will be paid, and will be held within 60 days of the ALRB’s consent order, which was dated the 29th of May.
