The union representing the six sacked ICBC workers said it will fight the dismissals, claiming its members were only doing what managers asked them to do.
Five estimators were fired from ICBC's Richmond claims centre last week and one more back in March over allegations they'd frequently accepted repair estimates over the phone by certain local body shops.
ICBC said an investigation showed an inordinate amount of claims were being sent to very few body shops in the city, all of which were processed over the phone as opposed to visual inspections.
However, the sacked workers' union, Canadian Office and Professional Employees (COPE), has stepped in to back the former ICBC employees.
"We're filing grievances and taking it through the arbitration process," said Jeffrey Gillies, vice president of COPE378.
"We totally disagree with the terminations. Our members say they were instructed by their managers to phone the body shops."
"Management was aware of our members' claims (at the time of their dismissals)."
Gillies added that a "good portion of the estimates are done over the phone anyway."
The union added that the shortcuts over estimates are being carried out due to staff shortages.
