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BC Liberal appointment creates serious setback for labour relations
October 20, 2006
Vancouver-The BC government's decision to reappoint Brent Mullin as Chair of the BC Labour Relations Board (LRB) is a serious setback to constructive labour relations in the province, says Jim Sinclair, President, B.C. Federation of Labour.
"The provincial government has a long way to go to restore confidence in the LRB, which, frankly, many on both sides have lost," Sinclair said.
"It's difficult to believe the BC Liberals are really interested building a positive labour relations climate when they rebuff proposals to move the Board forward in a way that would be respected and supported by all sides."
"We were invited to provide recommendations for a new Chair and we provided strong recommendations which we believed could form the basis for consensus with employers," Sinclair said. "We were ignored."
During the last five years, cuts to the LRB have led to serious understaffing, and lengthy delays which have undermined the LRB's ability to provide timely decisions. Also, under Mullin's tenure, mediation services have been removed from the LRB. These services normally allowed the LRB to play the role of an honest broker in an effort to resolve labour disputes.
"An independent and respected LRB is critical to maintaining a healthy labour relations climate," said Sinclair. "Mullin has failed to deliver this and has lost the confidence of the union movement during his first term. He has a big task ahead of him to win that confidence in his new term."
"The government has a big job ahead of it to convince the labour movement that it is interested in the contribution we are prepared to make to the economic well-being of the province," said Sinclair.
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