Supreme Court of Canada rules in favour of BCTF over maternity benefits
Posted November 12, 2014 4:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Canada’s top court has ruled in favour of the BC Teachers’ Federation in an employment dispute over maternity benefits.
At issue in the case between the union and its employer were two types of special employment benefits covering pregnancy and parental leave.
The BCTF argued the BC Public School Employers’ Association was discriminating against female teachers by denying them parental benefits if they had already received pregnancy benefits.
The BC Court of Appeal had dismissed an earlier grievance filed by the union and ruled there was no unequal treatment of the women represented by the Surrey local of the BCTF.
West Coast Leaf, which intervened on the side of the union, says the court has recognized the unique needs of pregnant women with its ruling.
“This victory at the Supreme Court of Canada is not just for teachers,” says BCTF President Jim Iker. “This is a victory for all working women who are pregnant or may become pregnant in the future. The Supreme Court of Canada said employers cannot discriminate against pregnant women and that benefit plans for new parents must be consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
BCPSEA says it is reviewing the decision and is not yet prepared to comment.
