Michael Hines Interviewed by Ontario Morning on CBC Radio

Hicks Morley’s Michael Hines was interviewed by Ontario Morning on CBC Radio on April 12, 2013, regarding a significant decision by the Ontario Labour Relations Board in which it found the withdrawal of extracurricular activities by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario constituted an unlawful strike according to the definition set out in the Education…

Michael Hines Mentioned in The Globe and Mail

Hicks Morley’s Michael Hines was mentioned in the April 11, 2013 edition of The Globe and Mail in an article entitled, “Ontario teachers’ union call to halt voluntary activities was illegal strike action: labour board.“ The article discusses a recent decision by the Ontario Labour Relations Board where it was decided that the Elementary Teachers’…

Regulations under Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009 Now in Force

On April 8, 2013, O. Reg. 421/12 (General), as amended by O. Reg. 130/13, made under the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009 (“OCTAA”) came into force. O. Reg. 421/12 establishes certain exemptions under OCTAA and contains transitional provisions regarding, for example, certificates of qualification and statements of membership issued under either the…

OLRB: Withdrawal of Extracurricular Activities Constitutes an Unlawful Strike

Today, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (“OLRB”) rendered Trillium Lakelands District School Board and Upper Canada District School Board v. Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, a significant decision in which it found the withdrawal of extracurricular activities by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (“ETFO”) constituted an unlawful strike according to the definition set out…

College Update – Second Edition

Dear Friends, Spring is just around the corner and with the changing of the season, what better time for us to welcome our second edition of College Update! Hicks Morley’s College Practice Group is pleased to periodically provide our College clients with specific information relevant to your particu­lar interests. In this edition we discuss labour…

Hicks Morley Recognized by Chambers Global 2013

Hicks Morley is pleased to announce it has been named in the Chambers Global 2013: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a leading specialist practice for Employment & Labour and Pensions & Benefits in Canada. In commenting on the firm, sources have stated, “Hicks Morley always does an excellent job regarding labour matters.” “A…

OLRB Dismisses Duty of Fair Representation Applications Against OECTA

On February 26, 2013, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (“OLRB”) released a decision dismissing four different duty of fair representation applications filed by members and local leaders of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (“OECTA”) against OECTA relating to OECTA’s negotiation of its Memorandum of Understanding dated July 5, 2012 with the provincial government (“MOU”)….

Municipal Monitor Publishes an Article by Craig Rix and David Ross

An article by Hicks Morley’s Craig Rix and David Ross was published in the Spring 2013 edition of Municipal Monitor. In the article entitled, “Making the Case for a Better Interest Arbitration System,” Craig and David discuss the need for greater accountability and transparency within Ontario’s arbitration system. View Article

Sale of Assets and Hiring of Former Employees of Defunct Business not Sale of Business within LRA: OLRB

In a recent case, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (“OLRB”)  helped clarify what situations will trigger the operation of the sale of business provisions of the Labour Relations Act (“Act”) particularly when a business purchases the assets and premises of an organization which is unionized. This case may provide guidance for an organization which is…

Michael Hines Quoted in the Toronto Star

Hicks Morley’s Michael Hines was quoted in the January 29, 2013 edition of the Toronto Star. In an article entitled, “Lawyer warns of consequences on students of ‘work-to-rule’ by teachers,” Michael comments on the bulletins the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario has sent out directing teachers not to fulfill an array of duties beyond teaching….