A union is a member-based organization that has its own internal rules for things like elections, meetings, and discipline. These internal rules are found in the union’s constitution, by-laws, and policies. The Labour Relations Board has very limited authority over a union’s internal affairs.
Procedural protections
The union must act in accordance with the principles of natural justice in a dispute between a union and a member that relates to:
- matters in the constitution of the trade union,
- the person's membership in a trade union, or
- discipline by a trade union
A union member who believes the union has denied them natural justice can apply to the Board. However, this is not a right of appeal to the Board against a decision the union makes. An application under Section 10 regarding natural justice is limited to the process the union used to come to its decision.
It also does not apply to decisions the union makes when representing a member in the workplace dispute with the employer. Learn more about arbitrary, discriminatory, or bad faith union representation.
What are the principles of natural justice?
The phrase principles of natural justice has a special legal meaning. It is not a catch-all term for getting justice or what a person feels is a fair or just process or outcome in a dispute between a union and a member or group of members.
The principles of natural justice relate to process and in this context, concerns how a union makes decisions about its internal affairs. Generally, the principles of natural justice mean:
- you should know the details of what the union says you did and why it resulted in charges or discipline
- the hearing or trial process gave you a fair and reasonable opportunity to respond to the allegations or issues
- what is fair and reasonable may depend on the nature and seriousness of the charge or discipline and the process, such as whether there are witnesses and a chance to file documents and make submissions
- the decision reached was based on the issues and arguments presented and by neutral individuals i.e. they were not involved in the event or circumstances
Prohibitions
The union is entitled to:
- expel or suspend a member from the union
- refuse to let someone become a union member or
- impose a penalty or make a special levy on someone as a condition of membership (including one that is based on support of the union's certification application),
unless doing so amounts to discrimination or it is doing so is because the member refused or didn't participate in an activity that is prohibited by the Code (such as an illegal strike).
The Board considers something to be discriminatory if it is prohibited by the B.C. Human Rights Code or if it results in one union member being treated differently than another member without a valid reason.
The Board does not interpret the union's constituion
The Board doesn't interpret a union's constitution and by-laws to decide if the union's decision was right or wrong. That is the role of the courts.
When can I file an application?
Before you file your application, you must complete any internal appeal process you have with the union.
An application must be filed within a reasonable amount of time after the completion of the internal appeal process, if there is one.
If your application is filed more than three months after completion of the internal appeal process, you must explain why you didn't file it sooner. The reason for the delay must be compelling or the application will be dismissed as untimely.
How do I file an application with the Board?
To file an application:
- Complete Form 10: Internal Union Affairs Applications
FORM 10: INTERNAL UNION AFFAIRS APPLICATION - Include all the information you want the Board to consider
- Submit the application by email, mail, or courier
- Serve the other party as required by the Rules
- Arrange to pay the $100 filing fee
Filing by email? The Board only accepts supporting information in PDF, MP3, or MP4 format. Supporting information cannot be provided by a file-share link at this time.
What should I include in my application?
Try to explain what happened in your case in as clear and simple language as possible. Try to organize your application in chronological order (the sequence of events in the order they happened) with headings.
Include any supporting documents (e.g. emails, letters, copies of text messages) with your application and explain how they support your case.
If you need to, you can attach a separate page to answer questions on the form.
It is very helpful if you number each of the pages in your application and each of the pages of the documents attached to your application.
Make sure that your documents and your application are readable and that your application is complete.
Information in your application may be made publicly available in a Board decision. More information on how the Board uses your information can be found in our privacy policy.
Leading decisions:
Leading decisions provide useful information on how the Labour Relations Board applies the Labour Relations Code (the Code) and information on what is or is not covered by the Code.