B.C. NDP backs off push to scrap secret ballots
VICTORIA — B.C.’s NDP government was forced to scrap plans to eliminate the use of secret ballot votes during union certification drives, after heavy lobbying from union allies failed to pick up the needed votes from the B.C. Greens.
Labour Minister Harry Bains introduced Labour Code amendments on Tuesday that did not replace secret ballots with a card check system, in which a majority of union members sign cards to certify a new union.
It marked a setback for Premier John Horgan, who had campaigned on the idea of card check as an easier way for the NDP’s union allies to certify new members. Employers preferred the secret ballot, arguing it prevented employees from being intimidated to sign union cards by colleagues.
Bains acknowledged Green Leader Andrew Weaver’s opposition forced the NDP’s hand. “Yes, our friend Andrew Weaver made it very clear if there’s card check included in this bill he would not support it,” said Bains.
He added that if the NDP had not needed the three Green votes to pass the legislation, he would have pushed through the change.
The B.C. Federation of Labour, an umbrella group representing the province’s largest unions, had strongly lobbied the Greens to change their mind, including calling upon members to directly email Weaver and his two MLAs.
But Weaver — who proclaimed in 2017 that “I will never support legislation that will eliminate the secret ballot” and “no amount of convincing will ever convince me to do that” — held firm.
“I expressed my concern about the card check and some other things,” Weaver said Tuesday.
Bains said the legislation will instead focus on “improving the certification process with shortened timelines and better protection.”