Workers at Nordion are unable to participate in their constitutionally protected right to strike due to delays at the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) caused by severe under resourcing.
As PSAC and other unions work to meet new regulations under the Canada Labour Code, these delays raise serious concerns. Although the new regulations do not apply to our members at Nordion (due to the date in force), unions and employers must now negotiate MOAAs within 15 days of the delivery of notice to bargain. Decisions on unresolved matters referred to CIRB are expected within 82 days. Currently, the average wait time is 237 days, a number that has increased since 2019.
In the meantime, workers are forced to wait, unable to move forward and exercise their constitutional rights to free and fair collective bargaining – and their legal right to strike. This is unacceptable. CIRB needs more resources to continue doing its important work within the legal parameters that have been established.
We are calling on the Government of Canada to adequately resource the board so they can manage the volume of work, which would help the workers who are impacted by the delays.
We encourage workers at Nordion, their friends, families and other community members and allied organisations to send a letter.