The union received Section 54 notice from Glacier at noon on Thursday that the Alaska Highway News and Dawson Creek Mirror were closing next week.
Alaska Highway News announcement
The Labour Relations Code says 60-days notice is required and the union and company are supposed to negotiate terms. Obviously, we have some concerns about receiving 60-days notice of an immediate closure.
Here’s what the section says:
54 (1) If an employer introduces or intends to introduce a measure, policy, practice or change that affects the terms, conditions or security of employment of a significant number of employees to whom a collective agreement applies,
(a) the employer must give notice to the trade union that is party to the collective agreement at least 60 days before the date on which the measure, policy, practice or change is to be effected, and
(b) after notice has been given, the employer and trade union must meet, in good faith, and endeavour to develop an adjustment plan, which may include provisions respecting any of the following:
Here’s one legal interpretation:
“Section 54 of the BC Labour Relations Code requires an employer to give at least 60 days notice in advance a change affecting the terms, working conditions or security of a significant number of employees to whom a collective agreement applies. The Labour Relations Board recently confirmed that the notice requirement under Section 54 is mandatory, and that a union and employer cannot agree to collective agreement terms providing less than the statutory requirement.”
– Harris Workplace Law and Advocacy
Stay tuned.
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