The complainant union alleged that the respondent employer failed to bargain in good faith during negotiations for a renewal collective agreement, leading to a prolonged strike.
The union argued that the employer engaged in surface bargaining, withdrew previous offers, and delayed responding to union proposals.
The Board found that the employer's initial hard bargaining and subsequent changes in position due to economic circumstances did not amount to bad faith.
However, the Board held that the employer violated section 15 of the Labour Relations Act by failing to promptly respond to the union's fresh proposals presented in September 1983.
The Board issued a declaration of this violation but declined to award damages, noting that both parties shared responsibility for the breakdown in negotiations.
