The applicant union applied for certification to displace the incumbent International Union.
The incumbent union and the General Presidents' Maintenance Committee for Canada (GPMC) intervened, arguing that a valid collective agreement already covered the employees.
The Board examined several documents and agreements to determine if a valid collective agreement existed between the responding party employer and the International Union.
The Board found that while the GPMC lacked actual authority to sign the adherence agreement on behalf of the International Union, it possessed ostensible authority to do so.
Furthermore, the Board determined that recent amendments to section 44 of the Labour Relations Act applied retroactively, meaning employee ratification was not required.
Consequently, a valid collective agreement existed, giving the intervenors status, and the Board directed the counting of the displacement ballots.