Trade Union Certified as Bargaining Agent for Wheelchair Attendants
📌 In brief
The Canada Industrial Relations Board certified a trade union as the bargaining agent for a specific group of employees. This group includes all wheelchair attendants at Toronto Pearson International Airport, excluding certain higher-ranking positions.
⚖️ Legal holding
A trade union may be certified as the bargaining agent for a unit of employees under the Canada Labour Code, provided a majority of the employees in the unit wish to be represented by the union.
📖 Technical summary
The Board certified the trade union as the bargaining agent for a specific employee unit at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Canada Industrial Relations Board certified a trade union as the bargaining agent for all employees in the role of wheelchair attendant at Toronto Pearson International Airport, excluding dispatchers, supervisors, and persons above the rank of supervisor.
📚 Full judgment Official document
Order No.: 12167-U IN THE MATTER OF THE Canada Labour Code - and - [NAME], applicant, - and - [COMPANY]., Mississauga, Ontario, 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 applicant seeking certification as bargaining agent for a unit of employees of [COMPANY].; AND WHEREAS , following investigation of the application, consideration of the submissions of the parties concerned and the taking of a representation vote, 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 Board that the [NAME] be, and it is hereby certified to be, the bargaining agent for a unit comprising: all employees of [COMPANY]. in the role of wheelchair attendant at Toronto Pearson International Airport, excluding dispatchers, supervisors and persons above the rank of supervisor. ISSUED at Ottawa, this 20th day of March, 2026, by the Canada Industrial Relations Board. [NAME]: File No. 039563-C
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The Board found the applicant to be a trade union as defined by the Code
- The Board determined the proposed unit was appropriate for collective bargaining
- A majority of employees in the unit wished for the applicant union to represent them
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The decision certified a trade union as the bargaining agent for a specific group of employees at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about whether a trade union should be recognized as the bargaining agent for a unit of wheelchair attendants at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to certify the trade union as the bargaining agent because a majority of the employees in the unit expressed their desire for the union to represent them.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Canada Labour Code, specifically section 24(1), was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was the result of the representation vote, which showed that a majority of the employees wanted the trade union to represent them.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the person who brought the case, supporting the certification of the trade union.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
For someone in a similar situation, if a majority of employees express a desire for a trade union to represent them, the Canada Industrial Relations Board may certify the trade union as the bargaining agent.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The representation vote results mattered in making the decision.