BC Labour Board Rules on Certification of FortisBC – CSC

We write to let you know that we received the BC Labour Board’s decision on our certification application for identifying the Employer for the FortisBC – Customer Service Centre(s) bargaining unit.

The Board has declared that FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc. are to be a common employer of the employees in the Customer Service Centre(s), which includes the locations of Trail, Kelowna, Prince George and Burnaby.  It was our first argument to have FortisBC Energy Inc. named as the employer for the certification, but failing that decision, we would welcome a conclusion that saw a common employer naming FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc., which is what, ended up happening. 

We see this as a success, as the Employer attempted to argue that the certification application should be rejected and that the voluntary recognition should stand.  The Employer also agreed that it would welcome a decision to have the common employer deemed to be FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc. if the Board was inclined to rule; which it did. 

In the decision, the board has ordered that the ballots that were sent to all employees in the FortisBC Customer Service Centre(s) that posed the question, “do you want the Canadian Office & Professional Employees’ Union, Local 378 to represent you in collective bargaining with your employer?” be counted.

If the votes counted are in favour of the Union, then the common employer of the employees in the bargaining unit will see both FortisBC Inc. and FortisBC Energy Inc. named as common employer. If the votes are not in favour of the Union, then the voluntary recognition stands.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact your job steward or myself.  We will update you when we hear the results of the vote.  If you wish to read the decision, you can find it here.

In Solidarity,

Cindy A. Lee

Union Representative