Mexico will not have to face the British Columbia Labour Relations Board (BCLRB) over charges that its Vancouver consulate worked in collusion with agriculture employers to stop Mexican citizens suspected of being union supporters from working in Canada.
The BCLRB announced February 2 that Mexico has “state immunity.”
UFCW Canada Local 1518, which is the union that represents seasonal migrant farm workers at Floralia Plant Growers and Sidhu & Sons Nursery in the Fraser Valley, filed the charges with the BCLRB.
The union named both Floralia and Sidhu & Sons, along with Mexico and its consulate, in its unfair labour complaints.
The BCLRB said the complaints against Floralia and Sidhu & Sons can proceed.
“Today’s ruling essentially says Mexican officials in Canada are free to breach the established and agreed-to rights of workers in Canada to unionize and work collectively,” said UFCW Canada national president Wayne Hanley.
Glen Korstrom
@GlenKorstrom