Attention News/Labour Editors:

Labour board confirms earlier ruling: Labourer's 183 trusteeship stands, review will proceed

    HAMILTON, ON, Dec. 10 /CNW/ - Monday's emergency order placing Local 183
of the Labourers' International Union of North America into trusteeship will
stand, the Ontario Labour Relations Board ruled Thursday.
    The decision confirms the board's ruling on Tuesday, rejecting another
attempt by Local 183 officials to block the trusteeship order.
    "This ruling means the trusteeship order will proceed to an independent
review, as provided under our union's Canadian ethical practices code," said
Dan Randazzo, LIUNA legal counsel for Central and Eastern Canada. This is an
important victory not only for LIUNA but for all construction trade unions as
it is a clear indication that the Board is prepared to allow unions to resolve
their disputes internally." LIUNA was represented before the Board by the law
firm of Cavalluzzo Hayes Shilton McIntrye & Cornish.
    The trusteeship order came immediately after an independent investigation
into the troubled local found serious allegations of fraud, exploitation of
undocumented immigrant workers and other misconduct.
    The ruling is the latest in a series of defeats for Local 183 at the
labour board. The Board has repeatedly declined 183's request to have the
investigation blocked based upon a claim of bias on the the part of the
independent investigator, Ronald Pink, Q.C.
    The union's ethical practices code provides for an automatic review of
any trusteeship order. Former labour board vice-president Brian Keller, who
will conduct the review, will invite submissions from Local 183 officials.
    The union will not enforce the trusteeship order until the review
concludes within the next 58 days.

For further information: Bill Gillies, (905) 829-4683