2201336 Nova Scotia Ltd. v. Labour Relations Board (N.S.) et al., 2003 NSSC 176

• Judge: LeBlanc, J.
• Court: Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
• Case Date: June 16, 2003
• Jurisdiction: Nova Scotia
• Citations: 2003 NSSC 176;(2003), 217 N.S.R.(2d) 26 (SC)

2201336 N.S. Ltd. v. LRB (2003), 217 N.S.R.(2d) 26 (SC);

 683 A.P.R. 26

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2003] N.S.R.(2d) TBEd. AU.056

2201336 Nova Scotia Limited, doing business under the name, Courtesy Chrysler (plaintiff) v. The Labour Relations Board (Nova Scotia) and the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 1763 (defendants)

(SH 176449; 2003 NSSC 176)

Indexed As: 2201336 Nova Scotia Ltd. v. Labour Relations Board (N.S.) et al.

Nova Scotia Supreme Court

LeBlanc, J.

August 21, 2003.

Summary:

The Labour Relations Board upheld a union's complaint that an employer had failed to bargain in good faith and directed the employer to pay wages to several union members for time spent on strike. The employer sued the union and the Board seeking, inter alia, to quash the Board's order. In a second action, several employees sued the employer, seeking payment of wages as ordered by the Board. The employer applied to consolidate the two actions. Alternatively, it sought to stay the second action pending determination of the first action.

The Nova Scotia Supreme Court dismissed the application.

Editor's note: for another case involving these parties see 204 N.S.R.(2d) 211; 639 A.P.R. 211.

Practice - Topic 4123

Joinder of causes and consolidations - Consolidation of actions - When not available - The Labour Relations Board upheld a union's complaint that an employer had failed to bargain in good faith and directed the employer to pay wages to several union members for time spent on strike - The employer sued the union and the Board seeking, inter alia, to quash the Board's order - In a second action, several employees sued the employer, seeking payment of wages as ordered by the Board - The Nova Scotia Supreme Court dismissed the employer's application to consolidate the two actions or, alternatively, stay the second action - Consolidation would cause a great injustice to the employees - Similarly, a stay of their action would also create unjustified prejudice - The issues and relief sought in the two actions were different - The actions had progressed along different paths and would continue to do so.

Practice - Topic 5277

Trials - General - Stay of proceedings - When available - [See Practice - Topic 4123 ].

Cases Noticed:

Stone v. Confederation Life Insurance Co. (1992), 117 N.S.R.(2d) 194; 324 A.P.R. 194 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 13].

Hillcrest Housing Ltd. and Clans Ltd., Re (1985), 56 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 237; 168 A.P.R. 237 (P.E.I.S.C.), refd to. [para. 13].

Seafreez Foods Inc. et al. v. Rothmar Manufacturing Corp. et al. (1993), 126 N.S.R.(2d) 197; 352 A.P.R. 197 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 15].

Henuset Bros. Ltd. v. International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 955 et al.; Henuset Bros. Ltd. v. Syncrude Canada Ltd. et al. (1984), 57 A.R. 258 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 15].

Halifax Regional Municipality v. 3006128 Nova Scotia Ltd., [2002] N.S.J. No. 178 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 15].

Horn Abbott Ltd. et al. v. Reeves (1999), 182 N.S.R.(2d) 278; 563 A.P.R. 278 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 15].

Elliott v. Reagh et al. (1994), 134 N.S.R.(2d) 204; 383 A.P.R. 204 (S.C.), affd. (1994), 136 N.S.R.(2d) 89; 388 A.P.R. 89 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 15].

Alberta v. Alberta (Labour Relations Board) (1997), 47 Alta. L.R.(3d) 171 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 15].

Horn Abbott Ltd. et al. v. Reeves (2000), 182 N.S.R.(2d) 357; 563 A.P.R. 357 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 16].

Global Petroleum Corp. et al. v. CBI Industries Inc. et al. (1997), 158 N.S.R.(2d) 203; 466 A.P.R. 203 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 16].

Martin v. Stewart, [2001] N.S.J. No. 413 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 16].

Counsel:

Blair Mitchell, for the plaintiff;

Edward A. Gores, for the Attorney General of Nova Scotia and Labour Relations Board (Nova Scotia);

Gordon N. Forsyth, for the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers;

John D. Washington, for Rodney Durnford et al.

This application was heard on June 16, 2003, at Halifax, Nova Scotia, before LeBlanc, J., of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, who delivered the following judgment on August 21, 2003.