The Ontario government has announced that nine central agreements have been reached between trustees’ associations and education workers’ unions and teachers’ federations. These agreements will be in force from September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2019. The government has also announced additional funding for the following: to hire approximately 875 teachers and 1600 education workers…
Practice Area: Labour Relations
New Private Member Bill Proposes “Card Check” Unionization, First Contract Arbitration Model for Ontario
On April 4, 2017, the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Ontario introduced private member legislation that would amend the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act) to bring “card check” union certification back to Ontario for the first time since 1995, and to implement a new first contract arbitration process. It is important to note that private…
Bill 92, School Boards Collective Bargaining Amendment Act, 2017, Receives Royal Assent
On March 27, 2017, Bill 92, School Boards Collective Bargaining Amendment Act, 2017, received Royal Assent. The Bill amends the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014 and reforms the collective bargaining framework in the education sector. Amendments include, among other things, making central bargaining a mandatory component of collective bargaining and permitting an employer bargaining…
Leaves of Absence, Procedural Matters and More
In this latest edition of our School Board Update, we are bringing you summaries of three recent cases which will be of interest. They deal with abuse of process at arbitration, entitlement of part-time and custodial employees to miscellaneous leaves, and the balancing of religious freedom with other statutory requirements…
Reaching Out – Thirteenth Edition
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…
Chambers Global 2017 Recognizes Stephen Shamie as a notable Practitioner in Canada
Hicks Morley is ranked in Chambers Global 2017. Partner, Stephen Shamie, is listed as a notable practitioner in Canada, Employment & Labour and is “commended for his ability to deal with sophisticated labour relations issues.”
Counsel to a university board at arbitration involving the intersection of board governance rules and academic freedom.
Counsel to a university board at arbitration involving the intersection of board governance rules and academic freedom.
Counsel to university on complex pension governance arbitration.
Counsel to university on complex pension governance arbitration.
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…
Craig Rix Quoted in Canadian Lawyer on Changing Workplaces Review
Canadian Lawyer quoted Hicks Morley’s Craig Rix in a March 6, 2017 article titled “Labour law overhaul.” The article describes the results of the public consultations to consider reforms to the Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act…