B.C. policewomen want lawsuit, not labour arbitration, over alleged discrimination
Female police officers in B.C. are seeking a court ruling to allow a class-action lawsuit over alleged harassment and discrimination, rejecting labour arbitration.Summary
A group of female police officers in British Columbia is pursuing a class-action lawsuit against municipal police forces, arguing that the case involves systemic harassment and discrimination rather than a standard labour dispute. Their lawyer, Kyle Bienvenu, contends that the lower court judge mischaracterized the claim by reducing it to working conditions, such as overtime or retirement benefits, which is not the focus of the lawsuit. The officers argue that the case targets a "system of institutions" that has failed to stop gender discrimination and bullying across multiple police departments. In response, the City of Surrey and its police board have argued that the issues raised fall under collective agreements and should be handled by labour arbitrators. The officers, including plaintiff Cheryl Weeks, maintain that labour arbitration or workers' compensation would not provide adequate protection, as they would still have to work with their harassers. The B.C. Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on the matter.
(Source：CHEK News)