Vancouver – The following is a statement from Sussanne Skidmore, president and Hermender Singh Kailley, secretary-treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour:
The BC Government Lawyers Association (BCGLA) has been seeking the right to unionize for more than a decade. They represent 350 civil lawyers employed by the BC government to provide legal advice and write government legislation.
This month, the Labour Relations Board was to hear the BCGLA application under the Labour Relations Code for recognition for collective bargaining purposes.
However, on February 9, the BC government introduced Bill 5 to amend the Public Service Labour Relations Act (PSLRA). This legislation will circumvent the LRB and assign these workers to an existing union.
The BC Federation of Labour is disappointed that government has chosen this path instead of letting the Labour Relation Board complete its work. It is important to protect the rights of working people to join or form a union of their choosing.