Certification of bargaining agent for flight coordinators
📌 In brief
The Canada Industrial Relations Board decided to certify a union as the bargaining agent for flight coordinators, excluding supervisors, after reviewing the application and the employer's proposal.
⚖️ Legal holding
An employer must consider the scope of the bargaining unit as requested by the applicant.
📖 Technical summary
The Board certified the applicant as the bargaining agent for flight coordinators, excluding supervisors.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the applicant as the bargaining agent for a unit of flight coordinators, excluding supervisors, after considering the employer's proposal and the applicants' agreement.
📚 Full judgment Official document
Order No.: 12157-U IN THE MATTER OF THE Canada Labour Code - and - [NAME], applicant, - and - [NAME], Winnipeg, Manitoba, employer. WHEREAS the Canada Industrial Relations Board (the Board) has received an application for certification pursuant to section 24(1) of the Canada Labour Code (the Code ) from the [NAME] (the applicant) seeking certification as bargaining agent for a unit of employees of [NAME] (the employer); AND WHEREAS the applicant requests that the Board certify it as the bargaining agent for the following bargaining unit: All flight coordinators (Dispatchers) at 50 [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE], excluded are pilots, medical, groomers, maintenance, travel coordinator and administration assistants. AND WHEREAS the employer submits that the bargaining unit should not be limited to only one of its establishments and that it should include all flight coordinators working for the employer; AND WHEREAS the employer proposes the following alternative bargaining unit description: All employees of [NAME] working in the position of flight coordinator, excluding the flight coordinator supervisor and those above the rank of flight coordinator supervisor. AND WHEREAS the applicant agrees with the employer’s revised proposed bargaining unit description and confirms that the flight coordinator supervisor is properly excluded from the proposed bargaining unit; AND WHEREAS , following investigation of the application and consideration of the submissions of the parties concerned, the Board has found the applicant to be a [NAME] within the meaning of the Code , has determined the unit described hereunder to be appropriate for collective bargaining and is satisfied that a majority of the employees of the employer in the unit wish to have the applicant [NAME] represent them as their bargaining agent. NOW, THEREFORE , it is ordered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board that the [NAME] be, and it is hereby certified to be, the bargaining agent for a unit comprising: all employees of [NAME] working in the position of flight coordinator, excluding the flight coordinator supervisor and those above the rank of flight coordinator supervisor. ISSUED at Ottawa, this 16 th day of February, 2026, by the Canada Industrial Relations Board. [NAME]-Chairperson Reference: File No. 039498-C
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The applicant requested a specific bargaining unit which was agreed upon by the employer.
- The employer proposed a broader bargaining unit which included more flight coordinators.
- The applicant confirmed the exclusion of certain positions from the bargaining unit.
- The Board found that a majority of the employees in the proposed unit wished to be represented by the applicant.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The employer's initial stance to limit the bargaining unit to only one establishment was not accepted.
- The employer's attempt to restrict the bargaining unit to a single location was overridden by the Board's decision.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Board certified the applicant as the bargaining agent for flight coordinators, excluding supervisors.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was over the scope of the bargaining unit for flight coordinators.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to certify the applicant as the bargaining agent, considering the scope of the unit as agreed upon by both parties.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were mentioned in the judgment.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was the agreement between the applicant and the employer regarding the scope of the bargaining unit.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the person who brought the case.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation can seek certification as a bargaining agent if they reach an agreement with the employer on the scope of the bargaining unit.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify any particular evidence or documents.