The applicant union alleged that the employer's decision to terminate six maintenance employees and contract out their work constituted an unlawful lock-out.
The employer issued the termination notices shortly after learning the employees had joined the union.
The Board found that while the employer's actions were motivated by anti-union sentiment and likely constituted an unfair labour practice, they did not meet the statutory definition of a lock-out.
Because the decision to terminate was irrevocable and not designed to compel or induce employees to alter their behavior or agree to changes in working conditions, the application for a lock-out declaration was dismissed.
