Labour

Going, Going, (Mostly) Gone: Ontario Conservative Government Announces Targeted Rollback of Bill 148 Amendments to the Ontario Employment Standards Act and the Ontario Labour Relations Act

Earlier today, Premier Doug Ford followed through on his promise to revisit the previous Liberal government’s labour reforms by introducing legislation that eliminates many of the most controversial aspects of Bill 148. The changes include:

Minimum wage increase to $15.00/hr effective January 1, 2019 is cancelled – the existing minimum
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November 22, 2017 by Anneli LeGault in Employment Standards, Human Rights, Labour

Comments Off on Ontario passes the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 (Bill 148) on November 22, 2017

Ontario passes the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 (Bill 148) on November 22, 2017

The Ontario government has just passed the Bill 148 which amends the Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act with a target effective date of January 1, 2018. The Bill still needs to receive Royal Assent.

Key changes to the Employment Standards Act will include:

Raising the general minimum wage to
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October 23, 2017 by Andy Pushalik in English, Labour, Ontario

Comments Off on A Truly Poisoned Work Environment – Arbitrator Upholds Discharge of Employee Who Spiked Office Water Cooler with Bleach

A Truly Poisoned Work Environment – Arbitrator Upholds Discharge of Employee Who Spiked Office Water Cooler with Bleach

In what can only be described as a victory for common sense, an arbitrator recently upheld the discharge of a 27 year employee who was found responsible for spiking the office water cooler with chlorine bleach.

On September 12, 2011, an employee reported to his supervisor that the water from the

April 10, 2017 by Sabrina Serino in English, Labour, Ontario, Privacy

Comments Off on Court Allows the TTC to Implement Random Drug and Alcohol Testing

Court Allows the TTC to Implement Random Drug and Alcohol Testing

In a recent decision, the Honourable Justice Marrocco of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice denied the request of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 and Robert Kinnear (the “Applicants”) to restrain the TTC from conducting the random drug and alcohol testing of its employees.

The random testing applies to TTC

November 03, 2016 by Amélie Pelland in Labour

Comments Off on Agency personnel in the healthcare sector: who is the real employer?

Agency personnel in the healthcare sector: who is the real employer?

In recent years, the Québec Tribunal administratif du travail (the “TAT”) (formerly the Commission des relations du travail) has frequently been called on to address the legal implications involved in the hiring of temporary employees through personnel agencies in the health and social services field.

Most recently, in the case of

October 24, 2016 by Daniel Yereniuk in Labour

Comments Off on Flexible Work Arrangements Proposed by the Government of Canada

Flexible Work Arrangements Proposed by the Government of Canada

The Government of Canada recently completed a consultation with employers, employer associations, union and labour organizations, and advocacy groups as part of its pledge to amend the Canada Labour Code to allow workers in federally regulated sectors to formally request flexible work arrangements from their employers.

What Are Flexible Work Arrangements?

Flexible

October 05, 2016 by Jeff Bastien in British Columbia, English, Labour

Comments Off on British Columbia Arbitrator Reinstates Firefighter Convicted of Possession of Stolen Boat

British Columbia Arbitrator Reinstates Firefighter Convicted of Possession of Stolen Boat

In a recent grievance decision, Re Prince George and Prince George Firefighters, Local 1372 (Williams), 2016 CarswellBC 2591, a labour arbitrator reinstated a firefighter whose employment was terminated after being found guilty of possession of a stolen boat and trailer.

This case serves as a reminder to employers that in order

September 27, 2016 by Daniel Yereniuk in Alberta, English, Labour

Comments Off on Increase to the Alberta Minimum Wage

Increase to the Alberta Minimum Wage

Alberta employers are reminded that the general minimum wage in Alberta will be increased on October 1, 2016 to $12.20 per hour, up from $11.20 per hour. Additionally, the current liquor server rate will be eliminated effective October 1, 2016 and these employees will also now earn the general minimum

August 18, 2016 by Virginie Dandurand in English, Human Rights, Labour, Quebec

Comments Off on Intrusive surveillance systems for security purposes: the line Big Brother must not cross

Intrusive surveillance systems for security purposes: the line Big Brother must not cross

Technological developments and the need for employers to monitor employees’ activities and to minimize accidents and hazards require constant adjustments in order to respect the right to privacy. While it may be tempting for employers to replace old surveillance methods with new technologies capable of watching their personnel’s every move,

July 18, 2016 by Andy Pushalik in English, Labour, Ontario

Comments Off on Supreme Court of Canada to Federally Regulated Employers: No “Without Cause” Dismissals Under Canada Labour Code

Supreme Court of Canada to Federally Regulated Employers: No “Without Cause” Dismissals Under Canada Labour Code

In a decision which returns us to what many thought was the status quo, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that, (save for exempt employees), the unjust dismissal scheme in the Canada Labour Code (the “Code”) does not permit federally regulated employers to dismiss employees without cause once they