With the first official day of spring behind us, we are pleased to provide our Spring 2017 edition of Reaching Out. Chuck Hofley and Siobhan O’Brien, both from our Ottawa office, have set out some useful tips for those of you about to enter into collective bargaining…
Practice Area: Labour Relations
Appellate Court Finds Labour Arbitrator has Jurisdiction in EI Premium Reduction Case
In a recent decision, the Ontario Court of Appeal underscored the importance of judicial deference to the arbitration and grievance process…
Labour Relations Impact of Ontario’s Proposed New Child and Family Services Framework
Change is coming to your current service delivery model. Legislation recently proposed by the Ontario government to repeal and replace the Child and Family Services Act will enhance existing accountability and compliance rules…
FTR Quarterly – Issue 4, Volume 1
This issue features articles on; Human Resources Trends and Issues to Watch in 2017, the Top 10 Developments in Human Resources Law in 2016 and the Featured Lawyer is Amy R. Tibble…
Arbitrator Rules That He Has No Jurisdiction Over ETFO Central Grievance Concerning Report Cards
In a significant decision, Arbitrator Hayes has concluded that, as a Central Arbitrator, he does not have jurisdiction under the central terms of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) collective agreements to consider a grievance concerning a school board’s instructions to teachers regarding the preparation of report cards…
Ontario Establishes Shared Health Services Agency for LHINs
The Ontario government has filed a new regulation under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 (Act) to further support recent reforms to the province’s frontline healthcare service delivery model. Now in effect, O. Reg. 456/16 formally establishes the “Health Shared Services Ontario” Agency (Agency) pursuant to the regulatory powers set out in section 39…
OLRB Considers Employer’s Obligation to Pay for Commuting Time of Employee Using Company Vehicle
When employees are provided with company vehicles to take home at the end of the work day, does the employer have to pay for their commuting time directly to and from a job site?
Ontario Launches Personal Emergency Leave Pilot Project
Ontario has introduced limited amendments to personal emergency leave for certain employers in the automobile sector. In comments to the Ontario Legislature, the Minister of Labour identified the changes as a pilot project suggesting that similar changes may be considered in the future for a wider range of employers…
Changes Proposed to Ontario’s Fire Interest Arbitration Framework
At long last, Ontario is changing several rules governing collective bargaining in the fire sector. But will these changes go far enough to address and alleviate the frustrations municipalities face when they engage in interest arbitration? Find out in this FTR Now…
Protecting Students Act Passes Third Reading
On November 15, 2016, Bill 37, Protecting Students Act, 2016, passed Third Reading…