Trade Union Certification Decision - Canada Industrial Relations Board
📌 In brief
The Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the Millwright Regional Council of Canada as the bargaining agent for a specific group of workers at Chalk River, Ontario. This decision was made after the Board determined that a majority of the employees in the unit wanted the union to represent them.
⚖️ 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.
📖 Technical summary
The Millwright Regional Council of Canada was certified as the bargaining agent for a specific unit of employees at Chalk River, Ontario.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the Millwright Regional Council of Canada as the bargaining agent for a unit of employees at Chalk River, Ontario, after determining that a majority of the employees in the unit wished to be represented by the union.
📚 Full judgment Official document
Order No.: 12145-U Supersedes: 12070-U IN THE MATTER OF THE Canada Labour Code - and - Millwright Regional Council of Canada, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, [NAME], applicant, - and - [NAME], Chalk River, Ontario, employer, - and - International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 412, certified bargaining agent. WHEREAS the [NAME] Board (the Board), by order no. 12070 ‑ U dated April 7, 2025, certified the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 412 as the bargaining agent for a unit of employees of [NAME] (the employer); AND WHEREAS the Board has received an application for certification pursuant to section 24(1) of the Canada Labour Code (the Code ) from the Millwright Regional Council of Canada, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, [NAME] (the applicant), seeking certification as bargaining agent for a unit of employees of the employer comprising: employees of [NAME], Chalk River, Ontario, classified as tool and die maker, machinists, tool crib operator, layout man (machine shop), maintenance mechanic, millwright, and helpers and apprentices in such classifications, excluding foremen and employees of higher rank. AND WHEREAS , following investigation of the application, consideration of the submissions of the parties concerned and the taking of a representation vote pursuant to order no. 1738-NB, 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 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. NOW, THEREFORE , it is ordered by the [NAME] Board that the Millwright Regional Council of Canada, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, [NAME] be, and it is hereby certified to be, the bargaining agent for a unit comprising: all employees of [NAME], Chalk River, Ontario, classified as tool and die maker, machinist, tool crib operator, layout man (machine shop), maintenance mechanic, millwright, and helpers and apprentices in such classifications, excluding foremen and those above the rank of foreman. ISSUED at Ottawa, this 5th day of January, 2026, by the [NAME] Board. [NAME]: File No. 038726-C
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The Millwright Regional Council of Canada presented evidence showing a majority of employees wished to be represented by the union.
- The Board found the proposed unit to be appropriate for collective bargaining based on the application and subsequent investigation.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The existing bargaining agent, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 412, was unable to demonstrate that the proposed unit was inappropriate for certification.
- There were no arguments presented by the employer or the current bargaining agent that successfully challenged the certification process.
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 Millwright Regional Council of Canada as the bargaining agent for a specific unit of employees at Chalk River, Ontario.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about whether the Millwright Regional Council of Canada should be certified as the bargaining agent for a specific group of employees at Chalk River, Ontario.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to certify the Millwright Regional Council of Canada as the bargaining agent because a majority of the employees in the unit wished to be represented by the union.
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 Millwright Regional Council of Canada.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the person who brought the case, which was the Millwright Regional Council of Canada.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
For someone in a similar situation, if a majority of employees in a unit wish to be represented by a trade union, the Canada Industrial Relations Board will likely certify that union as the bargaining agent.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify the evidence or documents that mattered.