How Does A Fleet Certify?
To apply for certification at the BC Labour Relations Board, a majority of fishermen who are fishing with the same gear for the same company must sign UFAWU-Unifor membership cards. No dues are required at this time.
The next hurdle is a vote. To win certification, 50% of the vote must be in favor of certifying the Union as the bargaining agent for that company’s seine fishermen.
In CFC’s case, they put in an objection, which had to be dealt with by the Labour Board before the ballots were counted. It is likely that now that the Board ruled in CFC’s case, that seiners can join a union, the Labour board will be faster in ruling on any other company’s objection.
Once the ballots are counted, if the majority votes in favor of the Union, the Union becomes certified by the Labour Board to represent all the fishermen in bargaining.
Why Certify?
A certification means that the fishermen covered by the certification are represented by the Union and that the company must negotiate with them. Fishermen can bargain how much the company has to pay for their fish, any benefits you want, and any quota lease charges.
Democracy
Any agreement negotiated by the UFAWU-Unifor must be voted on by the fishermen affected. This is a democratic process.