BCNU raid application on hold while Labour Relations Board tests support

The Labour Relations Board (LRB) has advised BCGEU and other health unions that it will determine if BCNU has enough signed cards to support its applications to move LPNs into their union before considering the merits of the various objections to the BCNU raid applications.

"We are pleased that the LRB will be reviewing the membership evidence submitted by BCNU," said Darryl Walker, BCGEU president.

In a December 17 notice to all affected parties, LRB vice-chair Ritu Mahil advised that she will not be processing BCNU's applications further until the issue of threshold support has been determined.

An Industrial Relations Officer (IRO) will review the membership information submitted by BCNU and then issue a formal report. If the IRO determines that BCNU has not met the 50 percent plus one threshold requirements, the applications will be dismissed.

It is not known when this stage of the process will be completed.

On November 30, BCNU applied to represent LPNs in the Facilities Bargaining Association. They also made six separate, alternative applications in case their primary application was dismissed. The primary application does not affect BCGEU LPNs, but the alternative applications could affect BCGEU members.

"We are looking forward to reaching a resolution of this issue," said Walker. "We remain confident that LPNs want to stay with BCGEU. The fact that BCNU felt it necessary to make several separate applications shows us they are far from certain about their support among LPNs."