The union, the Chemical, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada Local 2000, has represented the 106 workers for four years. The British Columbia Labour Relations Board (LRB) announced the decision, saying it had found three union membership cards were falsely signed more than four years ago.

In a bulletin to union members Mike Bocking, the local president, stated, "the board's decision to cancel a certification after four years of a contractual relationship with Purdy's is unacceptable. It punishes more than 100 people for what was probably the stupid, misguided actions of one individual. It sets a disastrous precedent for other unions in the labor movement."

Within a few days of the decertification, the union signed up a big majority of the workers and made a new application for certification and a vote is scheduled October 24 at the factory. Meanwhile the LRB ruled that the strike was "unlawful" and the company resumed production October 18. Purdy's Chocolates has imposed a contract on the workers that includes an hourly increase of 20 cents for those doing general work, the big majority of the union members. The union is demanding a 47-cent-an-hour raise.

As part of their attack on the union the company has fired two of the strikers. Maria Silvestre, who has six years experience in the molding department, explained that the company alleges that she "caused a supervisor to stop her car." The bosses also say she pointed a newspaper with a picture of Osama bin Laden at the supervisor. Sam Craft, who is a warehouse worker and a driver said he too was fired, accused by the bosses of "making scabs feel uncomfortable."  
 
 
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