Here is a brief outline of BC labour relations:

1. The Labour Relations Code of British Columbia

The British Columbia Labour Relations Code (LRC) regulates the relationship between employers, their workers, and the unions representing their workers.

It deals with the requirements for establishing union representation, collective bargaining and applying the terms of the collective agreement.

The Labour Relations Board

The British Columbia Labour Relations Board, established as an independent administrative tribunal by the Labour Relations Code, has full administrative authority and is responsible for all matters covered under the LRC.

Note: If you work in a unionized workplace the BC Labour Relations Board, regulates all issues dealing with wages and working conditions.

Fundamental Rights under the Labour Relations Code

One of the fundamental rights of the LRC is the right of every employee to be a member of a trade union, and the right of an employer to be a member of an employers' organization.

Who Gets Covered Under the LRC?

All BC employees and their employers, including dependent contractors, who are regulated by a collective agreement, are covered under the LRC with some inclusions and exclusions.

Under the LRC the following employees are excluded:

• Individuals functioning as a manager or supervisor;
• Individuals working in a confidential capacity in areas relating to labour relations or personnel.

For further information on these click on:
BCLRB's Inclusion In and Exclusion From…

Note:

• The labour-management relationship in the provincial public service is regulated under the Public Service Labour Relations Act instead of the LRC; and
• The labour-management relationship in federally regulated industries, are covered under the Canada Labour Code;
• Employers in non-unionized sectors are also subject to certain applicable provisions of the LRC, namely those dealing with protecting the rights of employees (i.e. the rights of employees seeking unionization).

2. Employment Standards Act (ESA) and the Employment Standards Regulation (ESR)

If you work in a non-unionized workplace then the
Employment Standards Act (ESA), and the
Employment Standards Regulation (ESR)
covers the laws and regulations dealing with working conditions such as minimum wages, hours of work, overtime, vacation, meal breaks, temporary foreign workers, etc.

For more information you can contact the BC Employment Standards Branch:

In British Columbia (Toll free) at 1-800-663-3316

Victoria: 200-880 Douglas St, Tel: 250-952-0469

Burnaby & Vancouver: Deer Lake Centre, 210-4946 Canada Way, Tel: 604-660-4946

Surrey: 101-10475 - 138 Street, Tel: 604-586-4251

Prince George: 102-1577 7th Avenue, Tel: 250-565-6120

Dawson Creek: 1201-103rd Avenue, Tel: 250-784-2390

Nelson: 310 Ward Street, Tel: 250-354-6550

Kelowna: 102-1690 Powick Road, Tel: 250-861-7404

Nanaimo: 2nd Floor, 6475 Metral Dr., Tel: 250-390-6186

Terrace: 108-3220 Eby Street, Tel: 250-638-6525

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