B.C. Labour Relations Board issues interim order allowing ICBC employees to take job action

The union representing Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC) employees has welcomed a provincial order to restore, at least in part, its ability to take job action after the ICBC filed an essential services application on Apr. 19.

The ability to take job action or undertake a lockout is suspended when the board reviews such an application, COPE reports in a press release.

British Columbia’s Labour Relations Board issued the interim order on June 13, thereby allowing Local 378 of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE) to ban overtime until June 30, notes a statement from the union.

After June 30, COPE 378 may take whatever job action it deems appropriate if 48 hours of notice is given and if the job action does not dip below the essential service levels applied for by ICBC, the statement adds. ICBC, for its part, cannot lock out workers without providing 48 hours notice.

The interim order is to remain in place until such time as the board issues a final order.

COPE 378 expects to issue 72-hours strike notice at some point during June, while continuing to argue before the board that there are no ICBC jobs that should be designated as an essential service.