The Canadian Media Guild has filed a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board in response to attempts to intimidate employees at Alliance Atlantis Communications.

In July, CMG applied for certification for employees at Alliance Atlantis after a majority of those responsible for programming the company’s cable television stations signed membership cards.

Recently, the union became aware that one or more employees, with the support of the company, were attempting to pressure employees into revoking their support of the union. This is a clear violation of the Canada Labour Code.

The union cannot allow such activity to continue unchallenged as employees wait for the board to rule on the application for certification.

The Guild is asking that the board order Alliance Atlantis to stop violating the Canada Labour Code; to inform employees of their rights and the company’s duty to respect those rights.

The union is also asking for access to Alliance Atlantis headquarters to meet with employees on paid company time and to satisfy ourselves the company has complied with the rules under the Canada Labour Code.

Finally, the Guild is asking that the board immediately grant certification of the proposed bargaining unit. It is fundamental to Canadian labour law that employers are prohibited from intimidating or coercing – either directly or through employees acting as their agents – those who seek to exercise their right to organize.

The Canadian Media Guild will not stand by and watch any employer violate this important principle, nor will the Guild abandon employees who have chosen to exercise their rights.