April 9, 2020

Labour Relations in Ontario and COVID-19

COVID-19 is undoubtedly affecting the way our members conduct business. It is important to know that currently the Ontario Labour Relations Board (“OLRB”) is still operating and accepting certification applications.

Notwithstanding COVID-19 precautions from various governments and national, provincial and municipal health authorities, contractors must remember that trade unions are still active in trying to obtain membership cards from unrepresented workers to unionize employers.

News reports and videos on social media show union organizers rallying workers on jobsites to voice health and safety concerns to refuse work during the pandemic. It is not surprising that trade union organizers will misrepresent better health and safety protection as a union member as a sales pitch to unionize. Astoundingly, in this time of crisis, LIUNA alone filed at least 4 cardbased certification applications to the OLRB in the last 10 days, and probably more in the last 3 to 5 days which are not yet public.

To continue and access our advisory click here.