June 2, 2022
Dear members,
Organizing the unorganized is what helps build Unifor and grow worker power. Removing the barriers to unionization is a top priority for Unifor and forms part of our agenda when we meet with decision-makers across Canada. In British Columbia, we made single-step certification (aka card check) a focus of our lobbying of the Horgan government.
As you know, we were successful at pressuring the provincial government to introduce Bill 10, Labour Relations Code Amendment Act, on April 6.
I’m excited to share the news that it will receive Royal Assent today and become the law. As of today, unionization will be granted by the provincial labour board if at least 55% of workers at a job site have signed a union card.
Changing the labour code to facilitate higher unionization is met with fierce resistance by big business and employer groups everywhere, and B.C. is no exception. It takes intense pressure from unions to get NDP governments to take action and we should not take it for granted.
Workers lost card check during B.C. Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell’s attacks on labour in 2001. Unifor has never stopped fighting to get it back, and 21 years later we did it. This was a historic struggle by B.C.’s workers to regain a basic workplace right.
Today is a day to celebrate and also a day to reflect on your local union’s organizing goals for the coming year. As I said, organizing is a top priority for Unifor and Bill 10 should help facilitate our efforts, especially in workplaces we anticipate any degree of employer intimidation.
If you have any cards collected on drives that are underway, these cards should be valid under the new legislation. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Margaret Olal at [email protected] or Simon Lau at [email protected].
Thanks again for all of your work to help get this across the finish line. Find attached a copy of the legislation with a note from the premier. The government has done it’s part for card check—its time for us to get to work.
In solidarity,
Gavin McGarrigle
Unifor Western Director
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