Tag: Barry Neufeld

(CBC) A Christian teacher who objected to his union fighting a Chilliwack, B.C., school trustee over comments on transgender children has lost his bid for a religious exemption from union dues. Robert Alan Bogunovic told the B.C. Labour Relations Board his religious and political views had become irreconcilable with his membership in the B.C. But last month, the board dismissed the high school teacher's application to pay his fees to a charity instead of the union — finding his objections grounded more in politics than in faith. 's Labour Relations Code to people who object to joining trade unions or paying dues because of religious convictions or beliefs. Bogunovic has belonged to the BCTF for 20 years. "At the time he was already a member of the union," the decision reads. A lone Christian versus outraged mob The BCTF contended that while Bogunovic's convictions may be deeply held, his exemption application was prompted by the union's fight with Chilliwack School Board Trustee Neufeld. Successful applications The Labour Relations Board has granted requests for religious exemption to union membership and fees in the past. In both cases, the board found that the objections were grounded in policy as opposed to faith.