Certification of United Steelworkers as Bargaining Agent
📌 In brief
The Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the United Steelworkers, Local 9599 as the bargaining agent for a group of workers at a grain terminal in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. This means the union can now negotiate on behalf of these workers.
⚖️ Legal holding
A trade union may be certified as the bargaining agent for a unit of employees if a majority of the employees in the unit wish to be represented by the union and there is no opposition from the existing bargaining agent.
📖 Technical summary
The Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the United Steelworkers, Local 9599 as the bargaining agent for a specific unit of employees.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the United Steelworkers, Local 9599 as the bargaining agent for a unit comprising all longshoremen of the employer assigned to loading and unloading vessels and ships at the Richardson grain terminal in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. The Board found that a majority of the employees in the unit wished to be represented by the union and that there was no opposition from the existing bargaining agent.
📚 Full judgment Official document
Order No.: 12151-U Supersedes: 6936-U IN THE MATTER OF THE Canada Labour Code - and - United Steelworkers, Local 9599, applicant, - and - [COMPANY], Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, employer, - and - [NAME], Local 375 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, certified bargaining agent. WHEREAS the Canada Labour Relations Board, by order no. 6936-U dated February 21, 1996, certified the [NAME], Local 375 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees ([NAME]) as the bargaining agent for a unit of employees of Les Élévateurs de Sorel Limitée comprising: all employees assigned to loading and unloading vessels in the Port of Sorel . AND WHEREAS the Canada Industrial Relations Board ( the Board) has received an application for certification filed pursuant to section 24(1) of the Canada Labour Code (the Code ) by the United Steelworkers, Local 9599 (the applicant), seeking certification as bargaining agent for a unit of employees of [COMPANY] (the employer) comprising: all employees assigned to loading and unloading vessels in the Port of Sorel. (translation) AND WHEREAS the parties agreed on the following amended bargaining unit description: all longshoremen of [COMPANY] assigned to loading and unloading vessels and ships at the Richardson grain terminal in Sorel-Tracy. (translation) AND WHEREAS the [NAME] is not opposed to this certification application; 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 trade union within the meaning of the Code , has determined the unit described hereunder to be appropriate for collective bargaining and has determined that the only active employer that remains at the Sorel-Tracy maritime terminal is [COMPANY]; AND WHEREAS the Board is satisfied that a majority of the employees of the employer in the unit wish to have the applicant trade union represent them as their bargaining agent, and, given the lack of objection from the [NAME], the Board determined that there was no need to order a representation vote (see [COMPANY] ., 2005 CIRB 333, at paragraph 39; [NAME], a Division of [COMPANY]. , 2002 CIRB 199, at paragraphs 21 and 86; and Rooley, 2015 CIRB 759, at paragraph 79). NOW, THEREFORE , it is ordered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board that the United Steelworkers, Local 9599 be, and it is hereby certified to be, the bargaining agent for a unit comprising: all longshoremen of [COMPANY] assigned to loading and unloading vessels and ships at the Richardson grain terminal in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. ISSUED at Ottawa, this 22nd day of January, 2026, by the Canada Industrial Relations Board. [NAME]: File No. 039259-C
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The Board found the applicant to be a trade union within the meaning of the Code.
- The Board determined the unit described to be appropriate for collective bargaining.
- The Board determined that the only active employer that remains at the Sorel-Tracy maritime terminal is the employer.
- The Board is satisfied that a majority of the employees in the unit wish to have the applicant represent them as their bargaining agent.
- Given the lack of objection from the existing bargaining agent, the Board determined that there was no need to order a representation vote.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the United Steelworkers, Local bk9599 as the bargaining agent for a specific unit of employees.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about whether the United Steelworkers, Local 9599 should be certified as the bargaining agent for a unit of employees at a grain terminal.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to certify the union as the bargaining agent because a majority of the employees in the unit wished to be represented by the union and there was no opposition from the existing bargaining agent.
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 that a majority of the employees in the unit wished to be represented by the union and there was no opposition from the existing bargaining agent.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the person who brought the case, the United Steelworkers, Local 9599.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
For someone in a similar situation, if a majority of employees wish to be represented by a union and there is no opposition from the existing bargaining agent, the union may be certified as the bargaining agent.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify the evidence or documents that mattered.