On May 3, 2004, the British Columbia Supreme Court found the Hospital Employees’ Union (“HEU”) in contempt of the April 30, 2004 BC Labour Relations Board Order, which had been filed as an order of the Supreme Court (the “Court Order”). The Court Order required that the HEU cease engaging in illegal strike action and not prevent or impede, or attempt to prevent or impede, its members from returning to work.
The Court found that the HEU had breached the Court Order by preventing or impeding HEU members from resuming their duties and regular work schedules of employment with member facilities of the Health Employers Association. In addition, the Court found that the HEU had breached the Court Order by counselling or encouraging HEU members who had resumed their duties and work schedules to cease work.
The Court will reconvene the hearing on May 17, 2004 to address the issue of what penalty may be imposed on the HEU for its contempt of the Court Order.
(Click here for full text of the judgment)