2y ago

The Single Word that Prolonged the BC Port Strike | The Tyee

5 comments

The word is "normal":
The agreement with the BC Maritime Employers’ Association, reached with the help of a federal government mediator, included the provision that “normal” maintenance work would continue to be done by union members.
Two sources who saw and reviewed that deal said the caucus believed the word — “normal” — was too vague. They worried employers would use it as a pretext to cut maintenance jobs and outsource work to contractors.
- The concern is based on industry trends, it would definitely worry me seeing language that vague that can be used to trim the work force.
  
  I totally agree. The union members should protect their jobs.
Clarity matters a lot in legal documents. Anyone else remember the case of the comma that cost millions?
Courts determine what the agreed to contract "means" in the end, so if vague words can end up construed way in the employers' favour, best to avoid that.