LABOUR RELATIONS BOARD

The Labour Relations Board regulates all parts of the union/ employer and union/ union member relationships. This  includes:

• Workers’ rights to join a union and have that union certified to represent them
• Collective bargaining rights
• The process of collective bargaining
• The settlement and regulation of disputes in both the public and private sectors
• Determining what are essential services in the event of strike action and the regulation of a union's obligations to fairly represent their members 

While the majority of restaurants are non union, restaurant employees have the right to join a union. If a group of employees do apply to have a union represent them at your restaurant, here are some things you can expect to happen:

• You will be given a copy of the application
• A representative of the Board will ask you for a list of employees and a description of the job they have.
• The union applying to be certified will not receive your list of employees. 
• You will not receive the list of people who have joined the union by signing union cards
• A representative of the Board will come to your restaurant to conduct a secret ballot vote (just like elections for government representatives)
• Senior managers and major shareholders will usually not be eligible to vote as they will not be eligible to join the union or be represented by them.
• A union becomes certified if the majority of employees vote for the union to represent them (50 % + 1)

Employers should avoid actions that could be considered interference with the application or with the employees right to choose, such as deciding to terminate employees without proper cause or  sending employees on trips out of the area when it’s not a part of their job, normally . 

The Labour Relations Board is very helpful. Your rights and obligations as well as a complete guide to the Board’s procedures is available. If you wish to speak to a representative you may phone them at 604 660 1300.