Martin A. Fowler

The applicant trade union sought certification for a bargaining unit consisting of occasional teachers and supply instructors employed by the respondent school boards.

The Board considered whether supply instructors, who are unqualified persons appointed in emergencies, share a sufficient community of interest with occasional teachers to be included in the same unit.

Noting the evolution of collective bargaining practice and the functional similarities between the two groups, the Board found the proposed combined bargaining units to be appropriate and directed that certificates issue to the applicant.

The applicant trade union sought certification for a bargaining unit consisting of all occasional teachers in the respondent's secondary panel in the Regional Municipality of Peel.

The respondent disputed the composition of the bargaining unit, arguing against the separation of secondary and elementary panel occasional teachers.

The Ontario Labour Relations Board determined that the secondary panel occasional teachers constituted an appropriate bargaining unit, consistent with its established practice of mirroring the historical dichotomy between elementary and secondary school teachers.

A pre-hearing representation vote resulted in more than fifty percent of the ballots cast in favour of the applicant, and the Board directed that a certificate issue to the applicant.