Sandra Banister Q.C. has been appointed as a special adviser on the three-person committee tasked with reviewing the British Columbia Labour Relations Code (the “Code”).
The panel will be chaired by mediator/arbitrator Michael Fleming with Sandra representing union interests and Barry Dong representing employer interests.
The February 6, 2018 Media Release from the B.C. Ministry of Labour notes the Code has not been comprehensively reviewed since 2003 with the last substantive amendments made in 2001 and 2002.
The Media Release states in part:
A committee of special advisers is being appointed to review the Labour Relations Code to ensure British Columbia’s unionized workplaces support fair laws for workers and businesses, and are consistent with the labour rights and protections enjoyed by other Canadians.
The panel is tasked with consulting interested stakeholders from all regions of the province, and reporting back to the minister by August 2018, with recommendations on any amendments to the code that will better support a growing, sustainable economy. The panel will also review any recent changes in labour laws in other Canadian jurisdictions to ensure B.C.’s labour code is consistent with best practices elsewhere.
Sandra is recognized as an asset to the committee given her experience, ability, achievements, and contribution to the legal and labour communities.
Banister has practised labour law and civil litigation for over 35 years. She has represented clients from both the public and private sectors and has appeared at all levels of court in British Columbia, labour arbitrations, the British Columbia Labour Board and the Human Rights Tribunal. In 2011, her ability and achievements in the legal profession were acknowledged when she was designated Queen’s counsel, and she is recognized in the Best Lawyers peer review. Banister regularly volunteers with organizations providing ongoing legal education. She is a speaker at many seminars and conferences and designed the British Columbia labour law course at the Canadian Labour Congress winter school, where she has taught it since 1985.
Read the Media Release in its entirety here