Members of the New Democratic Party are disappointed in what they say is a “refusal” by the government to introduce “card check” union certification.

A card check is a method that employees can use to form a union, in which workers sign authorization cards, and if the majority sign on, the union is automatically certified.

Lab West MHA Jordan Brown says the former PC government introduced such a system in 2011, but got rid of it in 2014.

He states workers are seeing “extraordinary delays” by the Labour Relations Board in processing their votes, going well beyond the legislated timeframe of five business days.

Brown calls that a “huge issue” because it not only breaks the law, but it gives employers time to “pressure” and “discipline” workers looking to unionize.

NDP leader Jim Dinn asked about card checks in the House of Assembly earlier this week.

Brown argues that the government’s response to the question shows a lack of understanding of what a card check is and notes that he was left wondering if anyone would answer the question.

“When will this government reintroduce card check, or single-step verification?” asked Dinn. Labour Minister Lisa Dempster responded by saying the government is committed to ensuring labour legislation is responsive to the needs of workers and workplaces. She says they have heard the concerns of the Federation of Labour but notes they need to maintain a balance between the rights of workers and the needs of employers.