Policy Update: Changes to the Labour Relations Code and Employment Standards Act expected soon

April 29, 2019

Employers can expect significant changes to the BC Labour Relations Code and BC Employment Standards Act (ESA) to be introduced soon. These changes could make it more difficult or expensive to do business, could result in unintended consequences for employers, and would affect many GVBOT Members.

Among the proposed changes to the ESA are increasing sick leave to 10 paid days a year — up from five unpaid leave days — and reducing the eligibility requirements for statutory holiday pay. Changes to the Labour Relations Code could include moving the union certification process away from a secret ballot vote and extending the validity of union membership cards from 90 days to six months. The proposed changes would also place greater communication restrictions on employers during a certification application.

These are some of the changes that would significantly impact our Members and the GVBOT has been advocating on your behalf. We have submitted initial and response joint business community submissions as part of the ESA consultation as well as initial and response joint business community submissions to the Labour Relations Code review in collaboration with other B.C. business organizations.

We anticipate the B.C. Government will implement changes very soon and want to ensure our Members are informed and heard. We will continue to monitor the developments as these issues significantly impact each one of our Members.

Questions? Contact our advocacy team.