HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-1948.O'Brien.03-09-24 Decision
Crown Employees Commission de ~~
Grievance Settlement reglement des griefs
Board des employes de la
Couronne
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GSB# 1948/93 0179/94 0236/94
UNION# 93F955 94A574 94A608
IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION
Under
THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT
Before
THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD
BETWEEN
Ontano PublIc ServIce Employees Umon
(O'Brien) Grievor
- and -
The Crown III RIght of Ontano
(Mimstry of PublIc Safety and Secunty) Employer
BEFORE D LeIghton Vice-Chair
FOR THE UNION Tim Hadwen
General Counsel
Ontano PublIc ServIce Employees Umon
FOR THE EMPLOYER DavId Strang
Semor Counsel
Management Board Secretanat
HEARING January 20 27 February 19 & 25 March 25
SubmIssIOns receIved Apnl 2 and 15 2003
2
DECISION
The partIes In thIS case have been workIng toward develoPIng a SystemIc Change
PolIcy for the mImstry SInce the ongInal settlement of the case on August 1 1995 (the
O'Bnen award) SInce that tIme the partIes have achIeved many mInutes of settlement
and thIS board has Issued decIsIOns as necessary to assIst In the process Part one of thIS
decIsIOn addresses the final outstandIng Issues on gender balance, to be decIded wIthout
reasons In a quaSI-Interest arbItratIOn format. Part two deals wIth the final outstandIng
Issues on the short-term assIgnments polIcy also to be decIded by quaSI-Interest
arbItratIOn wIthout reasons Part three concerns Issues of ImplementatIOn of the SystemIc
Change PolIcy
PART ONE - GENDER BALANCE ISSUES
On December 4 2001 the board held that the Issue of gender balance belonged
on the final lIst of Issues for resolutIOn between the partIes The partIes have been able to
settle a number of Issues ansIng under the tOpIC of gender balance but other Issues remaIn
outstandIng and therefore must be decIded under the quaSI-Interest arbItratIOn format that
the partIes agreed to some months ago There are five general areas under the Issue of
gender balance that need to be addressed. These are goals, InformatIOn, strategIes,
commumcatIOn and that the board remaInS seIzed.
SInce thIS part of the decIsIOn IS to be made wIthout reasons, no summary of the
submIssIOn IS Included. I have consIdered all the submIssIOns carefully In comIng to a
decIsIOn.
The folloWIng lIst of proposals are made by the umon and It was agreed by the
partIes that It would provIde the framework for the Issues In dIspute Where the employer
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agreed to partIcular proposals It IS noted. Where not specIfically noted, the employer
dIsagrees wIth the proposed language beIng Included In the SystemIc Change PolIcy and
dId not propose alternatIve language The decIsIOn of the board IS noted dIrectly after
each proposal where necessary
1) GOALS FOR ACHIEVING GENDER BALANCE IN THE
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER WORKFORCE - UNION'S PROPOSALS
1 1 EXTENT OF REQUIREMENT TO IMPLEMENT GOALS
Goals shall be reassessed annually and If not beIng met, addItIOnal measures to
facIlItate the reachIng of the goal would be consIdered.
Decision
The proposal is granted.
1.2 LONG- TERM NUMERICAL GOAL
The percentage of female employees In the classIfied CorrectIOnal Officer
workforce should be the same as the percentage of female employees In the
general workforce populatIOn In Ontano
Decision
The proposal is granted in part as follows
The percentage of female employees in the Classified Correctional Officer
workforce should be within 10% plus or minus the percentage of female
employees in the general workforce population in Ontario.
The percentage of female employees employed as managers by the Mimstry
should be the same as the percentage of female employees In the general
workplace populatIOn In Ontano
Decision
The proposal is denied.
4
1.3 SHORT-TERM NUMERICAL GOALS FOR BARGAINING UNIT
POSITIONS
There should be some Improvement each year In the rate of female partIcIpatIOn
In the workforce There should be a 60% hmng goal for classIfied full tIme officer
vacanCIes annually untIl 2005)
Decision
The proposal is granted in part as follows
There should be some increase each year in the rate of female participation
in the classified correctional officer workforce until the long-term numerical
goal is reached.
14 SHORT-TERM NUMERICAL GOALS FOR SUPERVISORY POSITIONS
There should be a further hmng goal for the fillIng of vacanCIes for front
lIne supervIsory (OMI6) posItIOns The proposed goal IS fillIng 75% of the
posItIOns WIth women annually untIl 2005
Decision
The proposal is denied.
1.5 GOALS SHOULD APPLY INSTITUTION BY INSTITUTION
The goals noted above should be applIed on an InstItutIOn by InstItutIOn basIs
Each InstItutIOn should be responsIble for seekIng to reach the goals wIthIn the
InstItutIOns workforce, and may apply for specIfically taIlored goals to be set.
Decision
The proposal is denied.
5
2) INFORMA TION REQUIRED TO MEASURE PROGRESS OF
ACHIEVING GENDER BALANCE
2.1 TO WHOM INFORMATION SHOULD BE SUPPLIED
a) InformatIOn shall be provIded quarterly to the SystemIC Change Steenng
CommIttee, so long as It operates and thereafter quarterly to the Mimstry
Employee RelatIOns CommIttee, or as specIfied.
Agreed by parties.
b) Each InstItutIOn's commIttee wIll also receIve the relevant InformatIOn.
Decision
The proposal is granted.
2.2 NA TURE OF INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED BY THE MINISTRY
ON AN ONGOING BASIS
a) The Mimstry's best contInUOUS servIce date lIst for all bargaInIng umt employees
Agreed by parties.
b) The Budget AllocatIOn Model posItIOn Inventory of all vacanCIes
Decision
The proposal is denied.
c) All seconded posItIOns, both those occupIed and those funded but not occupIed
Decision
The proposal is denied.
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d) All Job trades as per current practIce
Agreed by parties.
e) All voluntary eXIt optIOn opportumtIes, and partIcIpants, and all lateral transfer
opportumtIes and partIcIpants as per current practIce
Agreed by parties.
f) Temporary assIgnments longer than five weeks that can be reasonably antIcIpated
Decision
The proposal is granted.
g) SIte specIfic gender composItIOns of each InstItutIOn's workforce by cost center
for classIfied and unclassIfied bargaInIng umt (and management) posItIOns
Agreed by the parties except for management information.
Decision
The proposal is granted.
h) The female workforce at each InstItutIOn that IS converted from unclassIfied to
classIfied posItIOns and workplace data concermng the numbers of employees
promoted from the bargaInIng umt to management.
Agreed by parties in November 7, 2002 Minutes of Settlement.
2.3 OTHER INFORMATION MEASURES
a) Gender balance shall be regular tOpIC for systemIc Change Steenng CommIttee
and, after It ceases to operate, for the MERC
Agreed by parties.
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b) Gender balance to be addressed In the external audIt
At the InstItutIOnal or regIOnal level, the LERC or RERC or an agreed sub-
commIttee thereof, shall meet regularly to reVIew progress on the SystemIc
Change Programme, IncludIng gender balance In the absence of a functIOmng
RERC/LERC the Issues shall be dealt wIth of the MERC The MERC shall
provIde appropnate gUIdance regardIng specIfic Issues The LERC shall report
back on progress
Agreed by parties in the November 7, 2002 Minutes of Settlement.
3) STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE THE PROGRESS OF ACHIEVING
GENDER BALANCE
31 DISCUSSIONS TO ADVANCE USE OF STRATEGIES
Agreed by parties that proposals under this heading are redundant.
3.2 HIRING AND PROMOTION
a) HIRING CLASSIFIED BARGAINING UNIT POSITIONS
BasIc traInIng (COSTART) wIll be made avaIlable as a duty assIgnment WIth
expenses and tUItIOn for any otherwIse qualIfied female employee who does not
have that traInIng, to a maXImum of 20 traInIng opportumtIes (20 people)
Decision
The proposal is denied.
Where there IS any IdentIfied shortage of candIdates for posItIOns at an InstItutIOn
as IndIcated by a below Mimstry average percentage of female partIcIpatIOn In the
workforce at that InstItutIOn, the area of search for vacanCIes wIll be wIdened as
necessary to produce a reasonable pool of female candIdates
Decision
The proposal is granted.
8
The partIes wIll make use of the Enhanced RecruItment ImtIatIves Programme
Agreed by parties.
b) HIRING FOR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS
Mimstry to table a plan for succeSSIOn planmng for semor management posItIOns
a) The area of search for OM16 posItIOns wIll be broadened as necessary to
ensure sufficIent female candIdates
b) Managenal posItIOns ImmedIately above OM16 wIll be open for
applIcatIOn by both OM16 and CorrectIOnal Officers 2
c) Management vacanCIes wIll be posted and not filled by reclassIficatIOn
d) Management vacanCIes wIll be filled In a tImely fashIOn, and, In any
event, wIthIn 3 months
Decision
The proposal is denied.
c) IMPROVING SUITABILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT INTO
MANAGEMENT POSITIONS
a) For management Jobs In InstItutIOns, all applIcants who have not receIved
basIc OM16 traInIng wIll be able to receIve It on request and wIthout cost.
Decision
The proposal is denied.
b) Full Informal/formal mentonng Programme to be put In place by end of
2003 for all CorrectIOnal Officers, but wIth a focus on women
CorrectIOnal Officers
9
Decision
Agreed by parties except for implementation date.
The proposal of a mentoring Programme, agreed by the parties shall be fully
operational by January 31, 2004
3.3 UNCLASSIFIED CONVERSION
a) Increased mentonng of unclassIfied.
Decision
Unclassified staff shall be included in the mentoring Programme by April 1,
2004
b) StandardIzatIOn of ShIft dIstnbutIOn and schedulIng.
Decision
The proposal is denied.
c) UnclassIfied contracts are currently SIX months and are renewed as a matter of
course unless there IS reason not to The mImstry wIll provIde twelve-month
annual contracts begInmng at the end of the first sIx-month contract provIded that
a twelve-month contract IS consIstent WIth the mImstry's antIcIpated reqUIrements
at the facIlIty concerned.
Agreed by parties.
d) TraInIng unclassIfieds to work In both young offender facIlItIes and adult facIlItIes
so they wIll be able to access Jobs In both locatIOns
Decision
The proposal is denied.
10
34 DOWNSIZING
Use of temporary classIfied assIgnments, and Increased use oflateral transfers,
Job trades, relocatIOn allowances and traInIng to provIde employees wIth
temporary employment opportumtIes whIle bndgIng to new employment.
Decision
The proposal is granted in part as follows
Where operationally feasible use of temporary classified assignments, lateral
transfers and job trades shall provide employees with temporary
employment opportunities while bridging to new employment.
4) COMMUNICA TION
The partIes shall contInue the current JOInt commumcatIOn process and ensure all
Interested partIes receIve tImely commumcatIOn of specIfic ImtIatIves
Agreed by parties.
5) THE BOARD REMAINING SEIZED
a) The Gnevance Settlement Board shall remaIn seIzed wIth respect to any
dIsagreement that mIght anse about the goals, the extent of ImplementatIOn or
manner of use of any of these strategIes, or the provIsIOn of related InformatIOn.
Agreed by parties.
b) Should there be any other sIgmficant matenal change, the arbItrator shall accept
submIssIOns concermng alteratIOn of the gender balance portIOn of the SystemIc
Change Programme
Decision
The proposal is denied.
11
PART TWO- SHORT TERM ASSIGNMENTS
Under the terms of the O'Bnen award the partIes agreed to negotIate a polIcy on
short term assIgnments The scope of the polIcy and other Issues were decIded by the
board on May 10 2002 The partIes then went on to wnte the polIcy on short-term
assIgnments In wntIng the final draft the partIes dIsagreed on language for several
provIsIOns The partIes agreed that these Issues are to be decIded by the board, pursuant
to the quaSI-Interest arbItratIOn format, wIthout reasons I have Included only the
language of the polIcy dIsputed by the partIes
1 DEFINITION OF SHORT TERM ASSIGNMENT
UNION'S PROPOSED LANGUAGE
A short-term developmental opportumty IS any of the non-OMl6 posItIOns
In a correctIOnal facIlIty that would be of a career benefit to correctIOnal
officers and Includes AdmIssIOn and DIscharge, Control, Industnal
Officer RecreatIOn Officer Volunteer CoordInator Office Manager
RehabIlItatIOn Officer BailIff Records Clerk, Staff TraInIng Officer Staff
Secunty Officer InstItutIOnal LIaiSOn Officer Electromc SurveIlance
Officer Dnver Grounds Keeper/MaIntenance Stores Clerk.
EMPLOYER'S PROPOSED LANGUAGE
A short-term developmental opportumty IS a non-OMl6 posItIOn In a
correctIOnal officer's facIlIty that would be of a career benefit to the
correctIOnal officer and Includes AdmIssIOn and DIscharge, Control,
Industnal Officer RecreatIOn Officer but does not include a position
classified lower than Correctional Officer
DECISION
A short-term developmental opportunity is a non-OMl6 position in a
correctional facility that would be of career benefit to correctional officers
and includes positions that are classified at or higher than a correctional
officer, such as, but not limited to, Admission and Discharge, Control,
Industrial Officer, Recreation Officer
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2. THE SELECTION PROCESS
UNION'S PROPOSED LANGUAGE
SelectIOn from ElIgIbIlIty LIsts
When a short-term assIgnment becomes avaIlable the supenntendent or
desIgnee wIll subJect to demonstrated operatIOnal necessIty draw from
each qualIfied lIst of candIdates to fill each type of short-term assIgnment
untIl the lIst IS exhausted.
EMPLOYER'S PROPOSED LANGUAGE
SelectIOn from ElIgIbIlIty LIStS
When a short-term assIgnment becomes avaIlable the supenntendent or
desIgnee wIll, as a general rule draw from each qualIfied lIst of
candIdates to fill each type of short-term assIgnment untIl the lIst IS
exhausted.
DECISION
Selection from Eligibility Lists
When a short-term assignment becomes available, the superintendent
or designee will subject to demonstrated operational necessity, draw
from each qualified list of candidates to fill each type of short-term
assignment until the list is exhausted.
3 THE SELECTION PROCESS AFTER FIRST AND SECOND
PREFERENCE
UNION'S PROPOSED LANGUAGE
ThIrd preference shall be gIven to all correctIOnal officers on the qualIfied
lIst for short-term actIng OM16 posItIOns or short-term developmental
opportumtIes, wIth the assIgnment beIng gIven to the officer who has least
recently had such an assIgnment.
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EMPLOYER'S PROPOSED LANGUAGE
The remaining assignments shall be made on the basis of
management's assessment of the suitability of persons for the
assignment based on skill, knowledge, qualifications and experience.
DECISION
Third preference shall be given to all correctional officers on the
qualified list for short-term acting OM16 positions or short-term
developmental opportunities, with the assignment being given to the
officer who has least recently had such an assignment.
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PART THREE - IMPLEMENTATION
The umon requested a heanng before the board to argue that the ImplementatIOn
of prevIOUS awards and mInutes of settlement has been sIgmficantly delayed and
requested orders from the board In some cases settIng specIfic tImelInes for complIance
The umon IS also seekIng specIfic orders to generally assIst In the ImplementatIOn of the
SystemIc Change PolIcy developed under the O'Bnen award.
The umon takes the posItIOn that these orders are necessary gIven the hIStOry of
what It consIders exceSSIve delay on the part of the employer In thIS case Counsel
submItted that the process stalled In 1998 when after several years of negotIatIOns and
dIscussIOns between the partIes, whIch led to substantIal agreement on a SystemIc
Change PolIcy by the commIttee members, the polIcy was not ratIfied by the employer
The umon's posItIOn In aChIeVIng a polIcy moved forward agaIn In 2000 but noted that
aChIeVIng resolutIOn has been generally a lItIgatIOn dnven process
The employer takes the posItIOn that the process In thIS case, begun In 1995 IS
umque, that ImplementatIOn of such an extensIve programme as the SystemIc Change
PolIcy does take tIme and that often people do not see the work that has been done untIl It
IS actually finally fimshed. Thus the employer opposes the requested orders
SUBMISSION OF THE UNION
Mr Hadwen, Counsel for the umon, noted that there are two categones of orders
that the umon IS requestIng the board to make The first category IS the request for orders
to complete aspects of the SystemIc Change Programme wIth deadlInes The second IS a
request for orders to assIst In the ImplementatIOn generally of the SystemIc Change
PolIcy
15
1 INTEGRA TION OF THE SYSTEMIC CHANGE POLICY INTO
TRAINING COURSES
Counsel stated that on June 15 2000 the partIes agreed that "core elements of and/or
an onentatIOn to antI-harassment, antI-dISCnmInatIOn, antI-racIsm, and other areas of
the Ontano Human Rights Code" be applIed to specIfic courses and everyday
learmng, wIth a clear and conSIstent message Examples of courses to be addressed
Include
. FIrst AId
. CPR
. Mine Safety Apparatus (MSA)
. Workplace Hazard Matenal InformatIOn System (WHMIS)
. Commumcable DIseases
. CorrectIOnal StudIes Programme (COSTART)
. Incremental Exams for ProbatIOn and Parole Officers
. Spousal Assault Programme
. P&P ServIce DelIvery Model (includIng core Programme traInIng)
. LeadershIp 2000
. Level of SupervIsIOn Inventory - Ontano RevIsIOn (LSI-OR)
. Local Access Networks System TraInIng (LAN)
. InstItutIOnal CnsIs InterventIOn Team (ICIT)
. CnsIs InterventIOn NegotIatIOn TraInIng
. CntIcal IncIdents Stress Debnefing
. Commumty Escort TraInIng
. Cell ExtractIOn Team TraInIng
. Volunteer TraInIng Programme
. Integrated JustIce (IJ)
. Locally ImtIated and mImstry sponsored traInIng
. All other mandatory mImstry traInIng, current and future
Counsel for the umon argued that thIS agreement between the partIes was ratIfied by the
umon and by the employer Counsel said the umon notIfied the employer that there has
not been complIance wIth thIS agreement: some courses have been addressed but there
has been no ImplementatIOn of the concepts noted above Into the courses lIsted. It has
16
been two and a half years SInce the agreement, thus, the umon IS seekIng an order
requmng complIance
2. SPECIALIZED TRAINING
ThIS Item was also agreed to In the June 15 2000 agreement. The mImstry agreed
to provIde specIalIzed traInIng at ItS own expense to management/supervIsory staff
IncludIng bargaInIng umt supervIsor and human resources teams The specIalIzed traInIng
was desIgned to traIn leaders In the SystemIc Change PolIcy's pnncIples Counsel argued
that It IS Important because If you traIn the leadershIp you can effect cultural change
SInce thIS traInIng has not been done, the umon requests an order from the board
requmng the mImstry to table an ImplementatIOn plan for specIalIzed traInIng forthwIth.
3 TRACKING PROTOCOL
The partIes agreed to a "trackIng protocol" In June 2000 and several outstandIng
Issues regardIng the programme were settled In mInutes of settlement dated September
22,2000 and October 12, 2000 whIch IS a regIster of those found to have dIscnmInated.
The umon requests an order requmng ImplementatIOn effectIve ImmedIately
4 WEB SITE
The umon noted that the web sIte that was agreed to by the partIes was to be up
and runmng by Apnl 30 2002 except If there was a work stoppage then the deadlIne was
to be July 9 2002 One Issue ImtIally raised by the umon was access to sIgmng up for
courses and the need for a WIN number and thIS Issue was resolved at the heanng the
employer agreed to provIde InformatIOn on the web sIte for how employees would access
WIN numbers
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The other Issue raised by the UnIon at the heanng was that the web sIte was not
complete By the end of the day the employer was able to confirm for the UnIon, that the
famIly accommodatIOn polIcy was on the web Thus, the only outstandIng Issue WIth
regard to the web sIte IS that the mInIstry has yet to establIsh certaIn lInks on the web sIte
to related InfOrmatIOn.
5. COMPUTER KIOSKS
The partIes agreed In January 23 2000 to provIde each correctIOnal InstItutIOn
WIth a computer kIosk so that employees could access InformatIOn readIly Counsel noted
that there was no tIme lImIt for ImplementatIOn of thIS measure but that the understandIng
was that It would be done wIthIn a reasonable tIme frame Computer kIosks are not onlIne
yet because there are sIxteen InstItutIOns that stIll need the hardware Counsel for the
UnIon requested an order that the remaInIng InstItutIOns be provIded wIth hardware and
the polIcy be brought onlIne Counsel also requested an order that InstItutIOns WIth kIosks
be gIven the permISSIOn to go ahead and use those kIosks ImmedIately Thus, counsel
asked the board to reqUIre the employer to have supenntendents of each InstItutIOn Issue a
letter to employees InformIng them that the kIosks are up and runnIng and avaIlable for
theIr use
6. LEARNING PLAN
The partIes agreed to Implement learnIng plans for the employees on January 23
2000 to be Implemented by September 30 2002 The employer's current posItIOn on thIS
IS that the traInIng of ItS managers was completed December 2002 and that the managers
are now In a posItIOn to begIn USIng the new format. The UnIon takes the posItIOn that
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many InstItutIOns are not USIng the new format yet. And It requests an order that
progressIve use of the new format begIn ImmedIately
7 JOB PO STINGS
The board ordered Job postIngs In a decIsIOn dated May 10 2002 requmng
avaIlable Jobs be posted In each InstItutIOn so that employees are aware of Job openIngs
A lIst of those responsIble for dOIng the Job postIngs In each InstItutIOn has been provIded
to the UnIon. The first Issue of concern IS that In some InstItutIOns the person wIth
operatIOnal responsIbIlIty for ensunng that the postIng IS done IS IdentIfied but In other
cases the person IdentIfied IS a secretary or a clerk wIthout any operatIOnal responsIbIlIty
Some locatIOns actually desIgnate an area manager as the one responsIble for the postIngs
but thIS IS a mInonty
WhIle the board's decIsIOn on May 10 2002 dId not IdentIfy that managers should
be In charge, It dId IndIcate that someone In a posItIOn of responsIbIlIty should be
desIgnated by the employer Thus, the UnIon argues that In each InstItutIOn someone
senIor enough to have authonty must be desIgnated responsIble for postIng.
The second Issue of concern to the UnIon IS that a staffing gUIde or manual has
been cIrculated for comments from human resources staff and thIS IS not enough In the
unIon's submIssIOn. Thus, the UnIon requests an order that persons wIth the appropnate
level of responsIbIlIty be IdentIfied and that a manual be Issued wIth the dIrectIve to
apply It forthWIth.
8. ORIENTATION
Counsel for the UnIon noted that the Idea of requmng onentatIOn for new
employees IS a very old Idea. Counsel submItted that the board's decIsIOn of May 10
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2002 reqUIred a consIstent InfOrmatIOn package to be provIded to new employees by July
2002 It IS the unIon's submIssIOn that an order IS necessary requmng the employer to
commence wIth onentatIOn ImmedIately
9 EXIT INTERVIEWS
The decIsIOn of May 10 2002 of the board ordered that eXIt IntervIews be done
for departIng female bargaInIng UnIt staff The employer has noted that eXIt IntervIews
are beIng done for nurses and professIOnal staff It IS the unIon's submIssIOn that eXIt
IntervIews should be beIng done now for correctIOnal officers leavIng the servIce and
therefore requests an order requmng that eXIt IntervIews begIn forthwIth.
10 NETWORKING
In May 2002, the mInIstry made a commItment to provIde networkIng
opportUnItIes for women. The board ordered that It should be formally announced to
employees and that one networkIng opportUnIty per year per female correctIOnal officer
should be provIded. No specIfic tIme frame was IdentIfied. The UnIon recognIzes that
someone has been appoInted by the employer to carry out thIS InItIatIve and IS to meet
WIth the steenng commIttee shortly However the UnIon pOInts out that there IS stIll no
complIance wIth thIS measure Thus, the UnIon seeks an order that a plan for network
opportUnItIes be tabled forthwIth and that the networkIng opportUnIty would be provIded
In 2003
11 MANAGERS SELF MONITORING CHECKLIST
Counsel for the UnIon noted that thIS measure was agreed to June 23 2000 and the
form Itself was approved by the partIes In June of2000 However counsel argues that the
20
ImplementatIOn of thIS measure IS "shaky" Thus, the UnIon requests an order for
complIance as Intended ongInally
REQUEST FOR GENERAL ORDERS TO ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE SYSTEMIC CHANGE PROGRAMME
Under thIS category the UnIon IS requestIng three specIfic orders The UnIon seeks
an order from the board makIng the deputy mInIsters and the assIstant deputy mInIsters of
CorrectIOnal ServIces part of the MinIstry of PublIc ProtectIOn and Safety accountable for
the ImplementatIOn of the SystemIC Change PolIcy The UnIon also seeks a sImIlar order
makIng supenntendents responsIble for ImplementatIOn of the polIcy at the correctIOnal
facIlIty that they head. The second request IS that the board order that the government
create a new branch wIthIn the mInIstry charged wIth the responsIbIlIty of admInIstenng
the SystemIC Change PolIcy Workplace DISCnmInatIOn and Harassment PolIcy and
AntIraCIsm alternate dIspute resolutIOn. The thIrd request IS for an order that the SystemIC
Change Steenng CommIttee meet regularly untIl ItS successor takes over responsIbIlIty
FInally the UnIon seeks clanficatIOn of ItS oblIgatIOn under the O'Bnen award to make
JOInt announcements regardIng ImplementatIOn of the polIcy
Counsel for the UnIon relIed on case law and statutes, the SystemIC Change PolIcy
and the hIStOry of negotIatIOns of the partIes In support of hIS argument for orders under
thIS category He noted for the board that the ongInal O'Bnen award establIshed an
unusual process, a JOInt InItIatIve of UnIon and management, to develop and Implement a
SystemIC Change PolIcy In counsel's submIssIOn the board's JunsdIctIOn flows from the
ongInal memorandum of settlement sIgned In 1995 Paragraph 21 of the mInutes of
settlement provIdes as follows
21
The partIes recognIze that elImInatIng sexual harassment and
dISCnmInatIOn reqUIres a systemIc approach aimed at changIng
the culture polIcIes and practIces of the MinIstry whIch have
allowed dISCnmInatIOn to eXISt.
In the ongInal agreement the partIes also recognIzed that the "negotiatIOns and the
ImplementatIOn are a pnonty " They agreed to keep a vIce-chair of the board seIzed to
ensure that the terms of the agreement and subsequent orders were enforced and to deal
wIth any dIsputes that mIght anse regardIng whether there had been complIance wIth the
order Thus, In counsel's submIssIOn the board has clear authonty to make orders to
ensure that the SystemIc Change PolIcy IS Implemented.
In counsel's submIssIOn, arbItrators also generally have the JunsdIctIOn to fashIOn
a remedy to gIve effect to an award. Counsel submItted that the UnIon was not seekIng for
the board to make an order dISCIplInIng a manager rather the UnIon was askIng for was
an order that reqUIred management to take responsIbIlIty for the SystemIc Change
Programme ThIS order could be enforced In court or the UnIon could come back to the
board. Counsel for the UnIon argued that the board had the JunsdIctIOn to fashIOn a
remedy to gIve effect to an award even If the order reqUIred management to do somethIng
normally wIthIn management nghts Counsel cIted, amongst other cases, a decIsIOn of the
board In support of thIS submIssIOn OPSEU (Naumenko) and the CroYf,n in Right of
Ontario (Ministry of the Solicitor General & Correctional Services) (1997) 613/94
(MIKUS) Thus In counsel's submIssIOn, all the UnIon was askIng for was for senIor
management to take responsIbIlIty for what they ought to be dOIng already Counsel for
the UnIon also noted the broad JunsdIctIOn under the Ontano Human Rights Code that
arbItrators have pursuant to s 48 of the Ontano Labour Relations Act to fashIOn remedIal
orders
22
Counsel for the UnIon argued that the O'Bnen award Itself provIded the authonty
to make the requested orders Counsel also referred to the agreement of the partIes dated
June 15 2000 specIfically notIng one of the obJectIves of the SystemIc Change PolIcy
whIch was "to ensure accountabIlIty of both management and staff for a workplace free
from dISCnmInatIOn and harassment" Counsel noted that throughout the systemIc change
documents accountabIlIty IS specIfically referenced. Under "key themes" at page 8 the
partIes agreed to the folloWIng language
"AccountabIlItv eXIsts when all employees are held responsIble for theIr
actIOn or InactIOn and managers consIstently fulfill theIr role of ensunng
effectIve, tImely and fair InterventIOn to correct unprofessIOnal behavIOur
and/or endorse acceptable behavIOur"
Throughout thIS document there are specIfic references to the Deputy MinIster and the
presIdent of OPSEU havIng certaIn responsIbIlItIes Thus, counsel argued that In the
ongInal SystemIC Change document, by agreement of the partIes, IndIVIduals were
reqUIred to take responsIbIlIty for ImplementatIOn of the polIcy
FInally counsel for the UnIon noted that the mInIstry Itself had IdentIfied
problems wIth lack of accountabIlIty for forwardIng cultural change In the mInIstry
Counsel cIted the letter of Deputy SOlICItor General and Deputy MinIster of CorrectIOnal
ServIces, Tim Millard, In hIS open letter to all employees of the mInIstry dated May 29
1998 IdentIfYIng the lack of accountabIlIty and the need for change Deputy MinIster
Millard stated In hIS letter
"As the Deputy SOlICItor General and Deputy MinIster of CorrectIOnal
ServIces I take these findIngs very senously I accept the report and ItS
findIngs and concur wIth the recommendatIOns of Coopers and Lybrand
that leadershIp commUnICatIOns, and human resource polIcIes and practIce
are pnonty areas for Improvement. With these recommendatIOns as a
framework for actIOn, I am gOIng to oversee all aspects of the process for
change wIthIn the correctIOnal servIces dIVIsIOn"
23
The Coopers and Lybrand culture reVIew was InItIated In 1996 The reVIew was done
through questIOnnaireS and focus groups In vanous locatIOns across the proVInce
Another mInIstry document dated November 2001 "Report on the EvolutIOn of Culture
RevIew" also acknowledges the need for commItted leadershIp In order to Improve the
culture of the mInIstry Counsel noted that the deputy mInIster has the delegated authonty
from the mInIster pursuant to the MinistlY of Corrections Act, s.20 And therefore the
UnIon had IdentIfied the nght people to be held accountable to Implement the SystemIC
Change PolIcy
Counsel argued In support of the unIon's request from the board to order that a
new branch be created to Implement the SystemIC Change PolIcy that the mInIstry had
agreed wIth thIS proposal Counsel cIted Ontano Human Rights Commission and Michael
McKinnon and MinistlY of Correctional Services et al a board of InqUIry decIsIOn whIch
summanzed eVIdence of the mInIstry that It had accepted a recommendatIOn In the DevlIn
Report that recommended that such a branch be establIshed. The mInIstry's decIsIOn In
response to thIS recommendatIOn, as summanzed In the McKinnon case IS as follows
"MinIstry DecIsIOn
The mInIstry supports and Integrated approach to conflIct resolutIOn. The
mInIstry wIll go forward to EDC for approval to create a new branch that
wIll Incorporate WDHP sexual Impropnety and other InVestIgatIOns as
assIgned, systemIC change antIracIsm, alternatIve dIspute resolutIOn/medIatIOn."
WhIle counsel for the UnIon noted that the McKinnon case was beIng appealed, he also
submItted that he was not puttIng the case forward to be relIed upon by the board. He
merely put the case before the board to IndIcate that the mInIstry Itself accepted and
24
supported the creatIOn of a branch that would be dedIcated In part to supportIng the
SystemIc Change PolIcy
The fourth request of the UnIon IS that the SystemIc Change Steenng CommIttee
be ordered to meet regularly untIl the responsIbIlIty passes to the successor commIttee
There should also be regular local meetIngs to ensure that the SystemIc Change
Programme has local Impact and the partIes have agreed to local meetIngs GIven the
hIStOry of complIance and ImplementatIOn, counsel argued that an addItIOnal push was
reqUIred to ensure that the polIcy IS Implemented.
Further counsel argued that the UnIon must be In the posItIOn to publIcly cntIcIze
the government for lack of ImplementatIOn of the polIcy Counsel argued that whIle the
employer takes the posItIOn that the UnIon cannot cntIcIze the government publIcly the
UnIon IS of the VIew that It can be part of the ImplementatIOn but also be cntIcal of the
tIme It has taken to Implement the polIcy Thus the UnIon IS seekIng to clanfy ItS
oblIgatIOn under the polIcy that It make JOInt announcements wIth the employer on the
ImplementatIOn process Counsel argued that there IS nothIng In the polIcy that prevents
the UnIon from such dIrect commUnICatIOn to ItS members and that there IS a need for
open and frank comment.
SUBMISSION OF THE EMPLOYER - AGAINST THE GENERAL ORDERS
Counsel for the employer argued first agaInst the unIon's request for orders
requmng senIor management to be accountable for the SystemIc Change PolIcy and that
a new branch be ordered by the board. Counsel submItted that thIS IS a proceedIng of the
UnIon and the employer and that the JunsdIctIOn of the board flows from the agreements,
that IS the mInutes of settlement of the partIes He also noted that the JunsdIctIOn of the
25
board IS cIrcumscnbed by the powers of the board. He argued therefore SInce no
IndIVIdual was named In the case, no order could be made agaInst an IndIVIdual Counsel
submItted that the Idea that the board could make an order agaInst an IndIVIdual In thIS
case was contrary to admInIstratIve law and natural JustIce He contended that the
Naumenko case IS dIstIngUIshable In that the thIrd party manager In that case had notIce
and a chance to respond to the allegatIOns made
Counsel submItted generally that thIS process began In 1995 and that It IS unIque
He submItted that the O'Bnen award should never have been made SInce the order IS so
general that It IS unenforceable GIven the ongInal mInutes of settlements whIch was
made an order IS "broad and vague" counsel argued that the board should exerCIse
restraInt, and even If the board has JunsdIctIOn to make the orders requested, It should not
do so
Counsel argued that the unIon's submIssIOn for a new branch IS based on the
InfOrmatIOn that the executIve of the mInIstry has decIded to establIsh a branch charged
wIth the responsIbIlIty of amongst other thIngs, ImplementIng the SystemIc Change
PolIcy But counsel noted that thIS proposal must go to Management Board Secretanat for
approval Counsel contended that It was not appropnate for the gnevance settlement
board to order the creatIOn of a branch gIven the clear authonty to create a branch rested
wIth Management Board of CabInet, as provIded In the Management Board of Cabinet
Act
With regard to the request for an order that the SystemIc Change Steenng
CommIttee meet regularly counsel for the employer submItted that the commIttee
currently meets approxImately every SIX weeks He noted that these dates are set by
26
agreement, that there IS a reason to meet to reVIew or report on Issues Counsel submItted
that more frequent meetIngs would potentIally detract from the actual work of
ImplementIng the polIcy To the request that local commIttees also meet more regularly
counsel submItted that thIS request IS a monetary demand that IS more appropnately dealt
wIth In collectIve bargaInIng. Finally counsel argued that JOInt commUnICatIOns between
the partIes IS essentIal to the ImplementatIOn of the SystemIc Change PolIcy In counsel's
VIew the UnIon cannot be both part of the ImplementatIOn process and cntIc
EMPLOYER'S SUBMISSION WITH REGARD TO PARTICULAR ORDERS
SOUGHT BY THE UNION
In counsel's submIssIOn, the employer has moved forward steadIly wIth the
ImplementatIOn of the SystemIc Change PolIcy He noted that often the employer's work
only becomes clear upon the substantIal completIOn of part of the polIcy Counsel argued
that the SystemIc Change PolIcy had to be Implemented lIke any other programme wIthIn
the mInIstry In such a large organIZatIOn It has to be determIned how each task wIll be
accomplIshed, In thIS case across thIrtY-SIX InstItutIOns of varyIng sIzes and It must be
done In a manner that IS consIstent. Further In thIS case the polIcy must be Implemented
whIle the mInIstry stIll ensures that reqUIrements for keepIng Inmates both secure and
properly cared for IS maIntaIned. Thus, wIth all thIS In mInd counsel submItted that
ImplementatIOn of the SystemIc Change PolIcy must follow a realIstIc tImetable He
argued that arbItrary deadlInes would be counterproductIve
1 Integration Of Systemic Change Policy Content In Ministry Courses
Counsel argued that the COSTART Programme Includes a four-hour traInIng UnIt
on human nghts Counsel noted other programmes desIgned to focus on human nghts
Issues IncludIng a programme for probatIOn and parole officers, the "Level of ServIce
27
Inventory - Ontano reVISIOn course" (LSI-OR) and a workshop that was conducted In
Apnl 2000 on the pnncIples and process of effectIve antI-dISCnmInatIOn conducted for
staff at Bell Cairn. Counsel noted there had been specIalIzed traInIng for the new learnIng
plans and parts of the polIcy such as the famIly responsibIlIty leave In summary counsel
submItted that If the UnIon had speCIfic concerns about the lIst of courses IdentIfied and
why they were Inadequate these should be addressed speCIfically course by course and
through the Steenng CommIttee
2. Special Training
Counsel submItted that specIalIzed traInIng for managers had been done In 1999
2000 and 2001 on the SystemIc Change PolIcy WDHP and the duty to accommodate
employees under the Ontano Human Rights Code
3 Tracking Protocol
Counsel noted that full ImplementatIOn of the trackIng protocol was antICIpated
shortly Counsel consented to have the trackIng system In place by Apnl 1 2003
4 Web Site With Information On Training
Counsel noted that the web sIte IS up and runnIng although It was late In meetIng
ItS ImplementatIOn date
5. Computer Kiosks
Counsel submItted that the government has ordered hardware but does not have a
delIvery date for It at thIS pOInt. Counsel noted that the mInIstry was prepared to have the
sItes WIth kIosks up and runnIng by Apnl 1 2003 The order for the new hardware went
out In early January
28
6. Learning Plans
The traInIng of managers on performance development plans or PDPs was
completed In December of 2002 In counsel's submIssIOn, the employer has Instructed
managers to use the new format, whIch replaces the former performance appraisal
system Counsel also noted that the mInIstry IS begInnIng to check on the completIOn of
these PDPs
7 Orientation
Counsel noted that the preparatIOn of the onentatIOn manual was a lengthy and
tIme-cOnsumIng task and that the employer had not been cavalIer about complIance
Counsel stated that hard copIes of the onentatIOn manual would be sent to managers by
Apnl 1 2003
8. Job Po stings
The chIef complaInt of the UnIon under thIS Issue IS who IS responsIble at each
InstItutIOn for the postIng of Jobs In counsel's submIssIOn, the lIst of IndIVIduals
IdentIfied by the UnIon IS the mInIstry's lIst of people who actually put up the Job postIng
as opposed to the one wIth the responsIbIlIty for postIng.
9 Exit Interviews
Counsel for the employers stated that there IS a senous problem In the mInIstry
WIth retaInIng nurses and professIOnals Thus, the employer IS dOIng eXIt IntervIews WIth
nurses and professIOnal staff SInce there was no tIme constraInt other Issues have been
gIven greater pnonty but counsel noted that the employer was hopIng to have a
programme In place by Mayor June of 2003
29
10 Networking
Counsel noted that the IntentIOn of the mInIstry was to have opportunItIes
avaIlable for all female correctIOns officers to have a networkIng expenence wIthIn 2003
11 Managers Self Monitoring Checklist
Counsel noted that standard checklIst forms were developed In 2001 These forms
are now part of the operatIng procedure and have been so SInce 2002 The employer IS
aware of one case where a manager dId not use the proper form, but argued that
substantIal complIance has been met.
Summary
Counsel for the employer argued In summary that the mInIstry has been workIng
hard to Integrate the SystemIc Change PolIcy Into ItS operatIng procedures He submItted
that the polIcy was beIng Implemented wIth dIlIgence and so that It was Inappropnate to
make specIfic complIance orders Counsel also remInded the board of the context In
whIch the polIcy IS beIng Implemented, specIfically that there have been two maJor
labour dIsputes In the last eIght years and a maJor restructunng of the CorrectIOnal
ServIces In Ontano Counsel submItted In conclusIOn that no orders are appropnate here,
although he noted that the employer has agreed to Implement the trackIng protocol by
Apnll 2003 and to delIver the hard copy of the onentatIOn manuals by that same date
DECISION - The General Orders
HavIng carefully consIdered the submIssIOns of the partIes, I have concluded that my
JunsdIctIOn to decIde the unIon's request for orders to Implement the O'Bnen award flow
from the award Itself My powers here then are to enforce a settlement. There IS nothIng
In the ongInal award that contemplated creatIng a new branch. The agreement of the
30
partIes was to develop a polIcy to effect systemIc change for women correctIOnal officers
The mInIstry acknowledged
It has dIscnmInated agaInst Ms O'Bnen because of her gender by
managIng the workplace In such a manner as to create a workplace
pOIsoned by gender hostIlIty and dISCnmInatIOn both through the dIrect
actIOns of managers and through management condonatIOn of
dISCnmInatory employee and Inmate behavIOur
The agreement In the award was to work wIth the UnIon to ensure that such
dISCnmInatIOn dId not occur In the future Thus the mInIstry IS oblIged to effect change
under the O'Bnen award. It IS also oblIgated by the Ontano Human Rights Code to all ItS
employees provIde, to the best of ItS abIlIty a workplace free of harassment and
dISCnmInatIOn. ThIS IS an ongoIng duty of due dIlIgence under the Code I have
concluded that thIS board does not have the JunsdIctIOn to order the creatIOn of a new
branch to effect the SystemIc Change PolIcy but It would be WIse for the mInIstry to take
all reasonable steps to ensure that they satIsfy the reqUIrements under the Code It would
seem that the creatIOn of a new branch IS a sensIble approach to meetIng the duty of due
dIlIgence Counsel for the employer acknowledged that the executIve of the mInIstry has
decIded It wants a new branch to be responsIble for systemIc change and now It IS up to
Management Board of CabInet.
As to the order requested that senIor management be held accountable for
ImplementatIOn of the SystemIc Change PolIcy I am not convInced In thIS case that a
specIfic order IS necessary or appropnate OPSEU and The Crown In Right of Ontano -
MinIstry of CorrectIOnal ServIces agreed In the ongInal O'Bnen award to develop and
Implement a SystemIc Change PolIcy That agreement bound OPSEU and the
government to development and Implement the polIcy It IS too late to argue as the
31
employer dId here that the settlement made an order of the board In 1995 IS too broad and
vague, and should not have been made at all The partIes made a bIndIng agreement and
thus the senIor managers of the mInIstry are already charged wIth the responsIbIlIty of
complYIng wIth the O'Bnen award, and specIfically the SystemIc Change PolIcy
The UnIon asked for an order requmng the SystemIc Change Steenng commIttee
to meet regularly and the employer opposes thIS request. The management and UnIon
members of thIS commIttee have worked hard to achIeve systemIc change They would
not meet to waste tIme Thus the steenng commIttee IS hereby ordered to meet, as has
been theIr practIce every SIX weeks, unless both the UnIon and management members
agree that there IS no need for a meetIng.
With regard to the fourth and last request under general orders, and after careful
reVIew of the O'Bnen award, I am persuaded that nothIng In the award prevents the UnIon
from beIng cntIcal of the process or the problems wIth aChIeVIng systemIc change as the
UnIon VIews It. CntIcIZIng the process IS not InCOnsIstent WIth also makIng JOInt
unIon/management announcements on development of the programme The employer
may also be nght that open cntIcIsm of management may not foster cooperatIOn.
However I am convInced that It IS the unIon's nght to commUnIcate to ItS members as It
sees fit.
Specific Orders
1) Integration of the Systemic Change Programme into Training Courses
The partIes agreed on June 15 2000 that "core elements of and/or an onentatIOn
to antI-harassment, antI-dISCnmInatIOn, antI-racIsm and other areas of the OntanoHuman
32
Rights Code" be applIed to certaIn courses already In eXIstence WIthIn the mInIstry A lIst
of courses IS found at page 15 of thIS decIsIOn. The employer's chIef obJectIOn seemed to
be that the MinIstry had developed other courses covenng the above noted elements
regardIng human nghts However havIng agreed on June 15 2000 to Integrate the
concepts of antI-harassment and dISCnmInatIOn Into specIfic courses then the partIes are
oblIged to do so Thus, the board orders the employer to comply wIth ItS own agreement
on June 15 2000 and Integrate the SystemIc Change PolIcy Into the courses IdentIfied
above ThIS exerCIse must begIn thIrty days after the release of thIS deCIsIOn, and be
concluded by June 30 2004
2) Specialized Training
Counsel for the UnIon noted that thIS Item was agreed to by the partIes on June 15
2000 The mInIstry agreed to proVIde specIalIzed traInIng at ItS own expense to
management and supervIsory staff, IncludIng bargaInIng UnIt supervIsors and human
resources teams Counsel for the employer noted that some specIalIzed traInIng has
occurred for management and that a consultant has been selected to help delIver thIS part
of the programme GIven thIS Item was agreed to by the partIes on June 15 2000 the
board hereby orders the mInIstry to table an ImplementatIOn plan for specIalIzed traInIng
by December 1 2003
3) Tracking Protocol
There IS no need for an order of the board SInce the mInIstry agreed to Implement
the trackIng protocol by Apnl 1 2003
4) Web Site
33
The ImplementatIOn Issues under thIS sectIOn were agreed to and resolved at the
heanng except for the unIon's complaInt that certaIn lInks had not been establIshed on the
web sIte The board hereby orders that any InformatIOn lInks, whIch the partIes have
agreed to must be on the web sIte WIthIn thIrty days of the Issuance of thIS decIsIOn.
5) Computer Kiosks
The partIes agreed In January 23 2000 that each correctIOnal InstItutIOn would
have a computer kIosk so that employees could access InfOrmatIOn. The mInIstry noted
that the order for addItIOnal hardware went out In early January 2003 There are stIll
sIxteen InstItutIOns that need hardware The board hereby orders that supenntendents
notIfy employees as soon as the new hardware arnves and the kIosks are up and avaIlable
for use
6) Learning Plan
The UnIon IS askIng for an order that the new learnIng plan format be used
ImmedIately Counsel for the employer noted that thIS new PDP replaces performance
appraisals and as people reqUIre a performance appraisal the new format IS beIng used.
No order IS appropnate under the CIrcumstances
7) Job Po stings
The board ordered Job postIngs In a decIsIOn dated May 10 2002 requmng that
avaIlable Jobs be posted In each InstItutIOn so that employees are notIfied of employment
opportUnItIes The unIon's complaInt here IS that IndIVIduals wIthout authonty are
reqUIred In some InstItutIOn to do the postIngs and thIS IS Inappropnate The employer's
submIssIOn was that thIS lIst was only a lIst of those who actually had the J ob of puttIng
up the postIngs The board hereby orders that a lIst of IndIVIduals who are responsible for
34
postIngs at each InstItutIOn, as opposed to those who have the Job of pInnIng up the
postIng, be IdentIfied and provIded to the UnIon wIth the staffing gUIde no later than thIrty
days after the Issuance of thIS decIsIOn.
8) Orientation
In a decIsIOn of the board dated May 10 2002, the employer was ordered to
provIde an InformatIOn package to new employees by July 2002 Counsel for the
employer made It clear at the heanng that hard copIes of the onentatIOn package and a
manual would be sent to managers by Apnl 1 2003 GIven the delay In ImplementatIOn
of thIS order the employer must commence wIth onentatIOn of new employees upon
Issuance of thIS decIsIOn.
9) Exit Interviews
In a decIsIOn of the board dated May 10 2002, the employer was ordered to
conduct eXIt IntervIews of female staff who were not termInated, surplused or retmng.
ThIS order covered more than nurses and professIOnals Thus, the board hereby orders
that eXIt IntervIews begIn forthwIth of all departIng female staff, except as noted above
10) Networking
The UnIon seeks an order for a plan for a network opportUnIty that wIll be
provIded by the end of 2003 for female bargaInIng UnIt staff The mInIstry IS In
agreement to provIde such a networkIng opportUnIty by the end of 2003 Thus, the board
hereby orders that a networkIng opportUnIty be provIded for female correctIOnal officers
by the end of 2003
11) Managers Self-Monitoring Check List
35
Counsel for the UnIon noted that thIS checklIst was agreed to by the partIes on
June 23 2000 but was of the VIew that not all managers were USIng the form Thus, the
UnIon seeks an order requmng that all managers use the new form Counsel for the
employer noted that they were aware of only one case where the form was not used and
otherwIse were of the VIew that they were complYIng wIth thIS part of the programme I
am not convInced that an order IS reqUIred here
I remaIn seIzed of thIS matter at the request of the partIes
Dated at Toronto thIS 24th day of September 2003