Trade Union Certified as Bargaining Agent for Employee Unit
📌 In brief
In a recent decision, the Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers as the bargaining agent for a group of employees at Vancouver International Airport. 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.
📖 Technical summary
The Board certified the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers as the bargaining agent for a specific employee unit.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers as the bargaining agent for a unit of employees of a company, after determining that a majority of the employees in the unit wished to be represented by the union.
📚 Full judgment Official document
Order No.: 12146-U IN THE MATTER OF THE Canada Labour Code - and - International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, applicant, - and - [COMPANY]., Burnaby, British Columbia, 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 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (the applicant) seeking certification as bargaining agent for a unit of employees of [COMPANY]. (the employer) comprising: all employees of [COMPANY]. employed as Portfolio Resources Coordinator/Scheduler at Vancouver International Airport, save and except managers and employees above the rank of manager, and those excluded by the Code . AND WHEREAS the parties agreed on an amended bargaining unit description comprising: all employees of [COMPANY]. employed as Portfolio Resources Coordinator at Vancouver International Airport, save and except managers and employees above the rank of manager, and those excluded by the Code . 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 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 Canada Industrial Relations Board that the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers be, and it is hereby certified to be, the bargaining agent for a unit comprising: all employees of [COMPANY]. employed as portfolio resources coordinators at the Vancouver International Airport, excluding managers and employees above the rank of manager, and those excluded by the Code . ISSUED at Ottawa, this 9th day of January, 2026, by the Canada Industrial Relations Board. [NAME]: File No. 039264-C
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The application was made under section 24(1) of the Canada Labour Code.
- The parties agreed on an amended bargaining unit description.
- The Board found that a majority of the employees wished to be represented by the union.
- The unit described was deemed appropriate for collective bargaining.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- There are no arguments identified as rejected in this decision.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The decision certified the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers as the bargaining agent for a specific unit of employees.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about whether the union could be certified as the bargaining agent for a specific group of employees.
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.
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.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the person who brought the case, as the union was certified as the bargaining agent.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
For someone in a similar situation, it means that if a majority of employees in a unit wish to be represented by a union, the union can be certified as the bargaining agent.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify the evidence or documents that mattered.