Civida sought to consolidate three AUPE grievances challenging terminations connected to Edmonton’s temporary rent assistance program. It alleged that two employees had improperly received benefits approved by a third. The union opposed a single proceeding because the grievors might give different accounts and had different representatives.
The Board confirmed it had broad consolidation powers under section 67.1 of Alberta’s Labour Relations Code. It nevertheless refused to combine the grievances, noting that they involved different individuals, potential conflicts and existing arbitration panel appointments. The employer’s application was dismissed, without deciding the merits of any of the three terminations. (Decision paragraphs 19 to 23.)