In a noteworthy turn of events, the Alberta Labour Relations Board (the “Board”) has levied a one-month suspension of union dues remittances following an illegal wildcat strike conducted by healthcare workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This decision took place in the case of Alberta Health Services v the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (2023 CanLII 61927, referred to here as “AHS v AUPE”). Read more about the case here.
The unprecedented strike actions were undertaken illegally by healthcare staff, who are considered a crucial thread in the fabric of our society, especially during the relentless onslaught of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Board’s subsequent decision to suspend the remittance of union fees for a month comes as a surprising form of recompense for this illicit action.
The suspension of the union dues serves as a significant cautionary measure for union-supporting employees considering participating in unlawful wildcat strikes. It serves to emphasise the principle that the rule of law stands paramount, even in the face of a health emergency, and labor disputes must be resolved within the legal framework.
Additional information on the Alberta Labour Relations Board’s stance and the potential ramifications of this decision for future labor-relations cases can be found in the details of the AHS v AUPE decision.
The technical complexities and broader implications of the Board’s move to withhold union remittances warrant attention from both legal professionals and unions alike, and it remains to be seen how this strategy will weave itself into the narrative of labor relations moving forward.