HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-0534.Hunt et al.09-12-04 Decision
Commission de Commission de
Crown Employeess
Grievance Grievance
règlement des griefs règlement des griefs
Settlement Board Settlement Board
des employés de la des employés de la
Couronne Couronne
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GSB#2001-0534, 2003-2944, 2008-3397 GSB#2001-0534, 2003-2944, 2008-3397
UNION#2001-0551-0001, 2003-0999-0023, 2008-0526-0018 UNION#2001-0551-0001, 2003-0999-0023, 2008-0526-0018
IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION
UUnnddeerr
THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTHE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT TIVE BARGAINING ACT
BBeeffoorree
THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD
BETWEENBETWEEN
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
èÏÔÎÏ
(Hunt et al)
- and -
The Crown in Right of Ontario
Employer
(Ministry of Attorney General)
BEFORERandi H. Abramsky Vice-Chair
FOR THE UNIONTim Hannigan
Ryder Wright Blair & Holmes, LLP
Barristers and Solicitors
FOR THE EMPLOYERLen Hatzis and Sean Kearney
Ministry of Government Services
Counsel
HEARING
November 10, 2009.
SUBMISSIONS
November 24, 2009.
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DECISION
[1]The Employer has raised a preliminary objection with respect to the jurisdiction of the
Board to issue prospective remedies in this matter. In the alternative, the Employer asserts that
the Board should authorize it to commence implementing its proposals regarding transcription
services. The Union opposes both motions, asserting that the Board must issue a full and final
remedy in this case, which includes prospective relief. In addition, the Union submits that these
issues were decided in the Board?s decision dated July 17, 2009 and therefore cannot be raised
again.
Background
[2]On July 27, 2006, I issued a Decision in this matter (hereinafter referred to as ?the Hunt
decision?), in which I determined that ?the preparation and certification of transcripts is
bargaining unit work of the Court Reporters, and I so declare.? The decision further states: ?All
issues regarding the implications of this finding are referred back to the parties, and I will remain
seized.?
[3]The parties tried, without success, to resolve the outstanding issues that arose as a result
of this decision for a substantial period of time. On June 1, 2009, the remedial issues were
scheduled for hearing. A teleconference was held on May 29, 2009, at which time I ruled that
the June 1, 2009 date would be used to address ?a number of process issues (e.g., particulars,
order of proceeding)? and ?explore potential avenues/steps to resolve this dispute.? On June 1,
2009, I issued a decision that set three future hearing dates, and ordered the parties to exchange
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particulars and any arguably relevant documents on all outstanding remedial and implementation
issues.
[4]On July 7, 2009, the Employer provided disclosure to OPSEU that the Employer had
made a decision in regard to the implementation of the Hunt decision, and advised that ?Court
Services Division has now begun transition and implementation planning including consultation
with our justice partners and court users. Employees will be notified of the changes being made
to court reporting and transcript production for Ontario on July 21, 2009. The Ministry
anticipates rollout to commence in fall 2009 and we expect implementation to be completed
within eighteen months.?
[5]Upon receipt of this information, the Union brought a motion before the GSB to stay the
Employer from proceeding unilaterally with implementing its response to the Hunt decision,
pending the Board?s hearing to address the outstanding remedial and implementation issues. A
hearing on that issue was held on the evening of July 14, 2009, and I issued a decision on July
17, 2009 that held that ?the Employer may not unilaterally initiate a process to address the
outstanding implementation issues regarding transcript production as outlined in its July 7, 2009
letter to OPSEU.? The Employer was ordered to ?cease and desist.? There is no question that
the Employer has complied with that decision.
[6]In the Employer?s particulars to the Union dated September 21, 2009, the Employer
alerted the Union that it would be raising a preliminary issue as to ?whether the Grievance
Settlement Board (GSB) has the jurisdiction in the context of this case to consider or determine
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prospective remedies. In particular, in light of the grievances and the nature of the dispute the
Employer shall seek an Order by way of a preliminary motion that the GSB does not have the
jurisdiction to consider the issue of prospective remedies such as how the transcript function is to
be delivered in the province of Ontario.?
[7]In the alternative, in the event that the Board did not accept that position, the Employer
indicated that it would argue that it should be permitted to begin the process of implementation
of the changes it proposed.
[8]In the Union?s response to the Employer?s particulars, the Union asserted in regard to the
jurisdictional issue that ?it will vehemently oppose the Employer?s motion. The GSB has
determined that there has been a breach of the Collective Agreement. The GSB has the
jurisdiction to remedy the wrong committed by the Employer which, in the Union?s submission,
includes the jurisdiction to order a prospective remedy in the context of this case.?
[9]In terms of the Employer?s alternative argument, it asserted that the GSB had ?already
made a determination with respect to the Employer?s desire to unilaterally impose a remedy with
th
respect to this matter in a decision dates July 17 2009? and that the Employer ?was, in essence,
seeking reconsideration of the GSB?s decision, which is absolutely inappropriate.?
[10]Full argument was heard on the Employer?s preliminary objection in regard to
jurisdiction on November 10, 2009.
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1. Did the July 17, 2009 Decision Already Decide this Issue?
[11]The Union asserts that the Board, in the July 17, 2009 decision, made a determination
that the Employer may not implement its plan and that the Employer should not be allowed, at
this juncture, to reargue that issue. It contends that the GSB has no power to reconsider its
determinations, citing Re Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Joyce et al. (1997) 34
O.R.(3d) 493 (Ont. Div. Ct.); Re OPSEU (Ross Grievance) and Ontario (Ministry of Municipal
Affairs and Housing) [2009] O.G.S.B.A. No. 54 (Gray); Re OPSEU (Transition Grievance) and
Ontario (Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services)[2005] O.G.S.B.A. No. 56
(Briggs). It contends that the principle of issue estoppel applies, and that the Board?s earlier
decision must be respected and adhered to. Re Ontario Liquor Board Employees? Union and
Ontario (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) [2002] O.G.S.B.A. No. 10 (Mikus); Re City of
Toronto and CUPE, Local 79 [2003] S.C.J. No. 64 (S.C.C.). The Union submits that there is
nothing different about the situation now than there was in July, and that the Employer is raising
the same question ? whether the Employer may implement its response to the Hunt decision
unilaterally.
[12]The Employer asserts that the issue is not the same. The Employer submits that the scope
of the Board?s jurisdiction has never been determined and that there is, therefore, no issue
estoppel to apply. The Employer, it submits, has fully adhered to the Board?s determination not
to implement its plan until the matter could be addressed by the Board. It submits that this
motion is the first step in addressing the matter before the Board.
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[13]I conclude that the July 17, 2009 decision did not address the issue of the scope of the
Board?s jurisdiction in regard to prospective remedies in this case. Although the Employer
argued that the Hunt decision did not impact its Article 2 management rights to manage the
business or constrain the Employer?s right to act unilaterally, the issue was not framed as a
jurisdictional argument. The scope of the Board?s remedial authority/jurisdiction in this matter
has not been raised before. As stated in paragraph 13 of the decision: ?The question presented
today is whether [the Employer] can implement its plan to deal with the Hunt decision
unilaterally at this time. In my view, the Employer?s implementation of its plan at this point in
time circumvents the hearing process underway and undermines the integrity of the Board?s
processes.?
[14]The decision also did state that ?[t]o accept the Employer?s argument would allow the
Employer to determine the appropriate remedy, and require the Union to challenge that
decision.? The Board determined that ?that would be inconsistent with the parameters of the
dispute resolution process that is in play in this instance. Once a decision has been made and the
arbitrator is seized with implementation of a decision, as is the case here, the parties try to come
to an agreement with respect to the remedy. If they cannot do so, they return to the Board, they
present their respective positions, and the Board makes a determination.? While this paragraph,
especially the first part of it, may appear to determine that the Board?s remedial power
encompasses how the Employer is to implement the Hunt decision, the remainder of the
paragraph, as well as paragraph 13, makes it clear that it is the Employer?s unilateral action that
is in dispute in the July 17, 2009 decision. They must ?return to the Board? present their
respective positions, and the Board makes a determination.?
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[15]Accordingly, the Employer?s jurisdictional motion is not an attempt to re-litigate the
issue that arose in July 2009. There is no issue estoppel, because the issue is not the same. In
regard to the Employer?s alternative argument, I do find that the Board has already decided the
issue of unilateral implementation, but a determination on that issue is not required because of
my determination on the jurisdictional question.
Does the Board have jurisdiction to order prospective remedies in this case?
[16]The parties? vigorously dispute whether the Board, by retaining jurisdiction in the Hunt
decision over the ?implications of this finding?, has jurisdiction to determine prospective
remedies. The Employer, as set out in its particulars and the July 7, 2009 memo, has proposed
what it terms a ?regulatory model? for the delivery of transcripts, which it described as follows:
Ministry court reporters will continue to take the in-court record using a
standardized audio recording method and will continue to act as independent
contractors when preparing transcripts. The transcript ordering party will choose a
transcriptionist from a list of professional, qualified transcribers, which could
include but would not be limited to, the reporter in the courtroom. The Ministry
will set standards for in-court certification and training, while building on the
strengths of the current system and our dedicated staff. The Ministry will act as a
regulator and support an independent, professional industry for transcript
production.
[17]The Union opposes this proposal on a number of grounds, and asserts that it is in direct
contravention of the Hunt decision, and its conclusion that the production of transcripts is work
of the Court Reporters as ?employees?, not ?independent contractors.? As set out in its
particulars, the Union states that it is ?absolutely essential that the GSB order a prospective
remedy in this matter, particularly in light of the bad faith demonstrated by the Employer in
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seeking to unilaterally implement a remedy in direct contravention of the GSB?s order, the
Collective Agreement, and related statutes.? It continues:
The Union respectfully submits that the remedy in this matter must recognize that
Court Reporters performing work including the preparation of transcripts are
employees performing bargaining unit work and are represented by the Union as
their exclusive bargaining agent.
The Union believes that in order to remedy the violation in these circumstances,
the GSB should order the Employer to post and fill full-time Court Reporter
Positions which include the duties relating to taking the record and producing
transcripts, in accordance with the Collective Agreement.
[18]In argument, counsel for the Union reiterated that the GSB has the remedial authority to
direct the Employer that transcript work is work of the bargaining unit, to be performed by
bargaining unit employees, with full application of the collective agreement. It asserts that the
Board may direct the Employer as to how it must comply with the collective agreement.
Otherwise, it suggests, that the Employer?s proposal will mean that the parties will be back to
litigating the ?same issue?, making the ?same arguments?, leading to frustration, expense and
significant labour relations mischief as the parties would be back before the Board, time and time
again.
[19]The Employer asserts that the Board, by retaining jurisdiction over the ?implications? of
the Hunt decision, does not have jurisdiction to determine if its proposed response to the Hunt
decision comports with the collective agreement. The Board?s remedial powers, it submits, are
limited by the grievance, which did not involve prospective actions by the Employer. Any
inclusion of prospective remedies, which were not sought in the grievance or during the hearing,
would, in the Employer?s view, constitute an improper expansion of the grievance.
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[20]In making a determination on this issue, it is important to review what was decided in
Hunt. There were two grievances involved in this matter. The first, a group grievance filed by
three classified Court Reporters, alleged that they had ?been forced to perform authorized duties
on overtime hours with no overtime pay, contrary to Article OAD 8.31 [and 8.4] of the collective
agreement.? The settlement desired was ?Full redress to include overtime pay owing for the last
ten years calculated on government T4?s for this period, based on the Ministry?s standard of
seven pages per hour.?
The second was a policy grievance, which states:
The work associated with the preparation and production of type
transcripts and certifying them as accurate is bargaining unit
work to which the collective agreement applies.
The settlement desired was:
1.A declaration that the work associated with the preparation and
production of typed transcripts and certifying them as accurate
is bargaining unit work to which the collective agreement applies.
2.That the Union and all affected persons be made whole including
interest.
3.Any other remedy that the Board deems appropriate.
[21]After many days of hearing regarding how transcription services were performed in the
province of Ontario and the control (or lack of control) that the Employer exercised, the Board
accepted the Union?s position that transcription work was the work of the Court Reporters as
employees, not as independent contractors, as the Employer had asserted.
The determination was as follows:
I determine that the preparation and certification of transcripts is bargaining unit
work of the Court Reporters, and so declare.
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[22]What this means ? as requested in the policy grievance ? is that the preparation and
certification of transcripts is work of the bargaining unit, specifically the Court Reporters, to
which the collective agreement applies. It also means that OPSEU is the exclusive representative
of the Court Reporters for that work. The decision had implications retrospectively ? the Court
Reporters and the Union were entitled to all the benefits of the collective agreement. It also had
prospective implications ? the Employer could not refuse to recognize OPSEU as the exclusive
representative, nor could it treat the Court Reporters as falling outside of the collective
agreement in regard to transcription work. The decision was based on the evidence and facts
established at the hearing.
[23]The decision, however, did not alter the parties? rights under the collective agreement,
nor could it do so. Article 22.13.6 provides that ?[t]he GSB shall have no jurisdiction to alter,
change, amend or enlarge any provision of the Collective Agreement.? The Employer retained
whatever rights it has under the collective agreement, as did the Union.
[24]That includes Article 2 of the collective agreement. Article 2 of the Collective Agreement
states:
Management Rights
2.1 For the purpose of this Central Collective Agreement and any other Collective
Agreement to which the parties are subject, the right and authority to manage the
business and direct the workforce, including the right to hire and lay-off, appoint,
assign and direct employees; evaluate and classify positions, discipline, dismiss or
suspend employees for just cause; determine organization, staffing levels, work
methods, the location of the workplace, the kinds and locations of equipment, the
merit system, training and development and appraisal; and make reasonable rules
and regulations; shall be vested exclusively in the Employer. It is agreed that
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these rights are subject only to the provisions of this Central Collective
Agreement and any other Collective Agreement to which the parties are subject.
[25]The Hunt decision did not declare that only part of the collective agreement applied to
transcription services.
[26]It is against this background that the case law must be considered. The case law supplied
by the parties, particularly by the Union, clearly establishes that the GSB has broad remedial
authority. This was established in OPSEU (Berry et al.) and Ontario (Ministry of Community
and Social Services [1986] O.J. No. 152. In that case, the issue was ?whether the Board had
power to require the employer to find or create a classification for the grievors.? The majority of
the Board had held that even though the grievors were not properly classified they did not fit the
classification they sought, and therefore the grievance had to be dismissed. A dissent by
Professor Paul Craven determined that the GSB should have ordered the Employer ?to classify
the grievor properly.? The Court decided that the Board did have that power, stating at p. 6-7:
Simply to dismiss the grievances when it acknowledges that the grievors are
wrongly classified is to empty the grievance procedure of any meaning. It is
commonplace of the law that the existence of a right implies the existence of a
remedy.
?
The board?s obligation under s. 19(1) [of the Crown Employees Collective
Bargaining Act] is to ?decide the matter?. When looked at without the
confinement imposed by Article 5.1.2 ?the matter? grieved was wrong
classification. If the board concluded that the classification was wrong, its
mandate was to effect a proper classification. Its jurisdiction is unrestricted. Its
mandate is remedial. ?
[27]This broad remedial power was further endorsed in OPSEU (Anderson et al.) and
Ontario (Ministry of Natural Resources)(1990), 75 O.R. (2d) 212 (Ont. Div. Ct.). In that case,
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the Divisional Court of Ontario concluded that ?[t]he power to implement a proper classification
must necessarily include the power to review the contents of the classification for sufficiency and
instruct management to alter or amend the class standard to reflect properly the duties,
responsibilities, etc., of the grievors.? The Court continued, at p. 8:
The power to require management to create a proper classification necessarily
includes the power to require management to get it right. To hold otherwise would
restrict the unrestricted remedial jurisdiction, referred to in Berry, to effect a
proper classification. To hold otherwise would defeat the legislative object of
efficient and final settlement of grievances. It would promote the very mischief
described by the board: multiplicity of proceedings, exhausting and protracted
delay, frustration, needless inefficiency.
[28]The extensive remedial power of arbitrators has also been recognized by the Supreme
Court of Canada in Alberta Union Of Provincial Employees v. Lethbridge Community College
[2004] S.C.J. No. 24 (S.C.C.), where the Court upheld the power of a board of arbitration to
award damages in lieu of reinstatement in an appropriate case. The Court stated at par. 54:
For arbitration to be effective, efficient and binding it must provide lasting,
practicable solutions to workplace problems. Commensurate with the notion of
exceptional circumstances as developed in arbitral jurisprudence is the need for
arbitrators to be liberally empowered to fashion appropriate remedies, taking into
consideration the whole of the circumstances. To rob arbitrators of access to the
full breadth of the employment context risks impairing their role as final arbiters
of workplace disputes. ?
[29]I also find the GSB?s decision in OPSEU (Howe/Dalton/Loach) and Ontario (Ministry of
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Correctional Services (1994), 42 LA.C. (4) 342 (Dissanayake) to be particularly instructive. In
that case, a dispute arose as to the scope of the board?s remedial jurisdiction in the event that the
sexual harassment grievances of the three grievors were upheld. Specifically, the issue was
whether the board could order the employer to take specific action against the alleged harassers,
namely, that they be transferred or discharged. The issue was framed as follows: ?Does the
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Grievance Settlement Board have jurisdiction to direct the employer to take any specific
disciplinary action against a member of management, as a remedy in a sexual
harassment/discrimination grievance??
[30]?The starting point for a review of this board?s remedial jurisdiction?, the Board stated,
?was Section 19(1) of the Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act and its mandate that the
Board ?shall decide the matter.?? The Board quoted at length from the Berry and Anderson cases
as well as an earlier GSB decision in Re Courtney, GSB No. 912/88 (Wilson), in which the
Board stated at pp. 82-83 that ?[t]he real question therefore is not what powers this board has,
but what specific orders out [sic] to be made on the facts in a case if a violation has been found.?
In that case, although the board found that it had the remedial power to order the removal of the
harasser by a transfer or discharge, the facts presented did not warrant such an order. The Board
there held at p. 85 that ?[s]uch an order would only be justified if there was no hope of
remedying the situation without such an order.?
[31]Following the decisions in Berry and Anderson, the Board concluded that just as some
incursion into management?s exclusive rights relating to the classification of positions was
required in Anderson, a similar incursion would occur if the Board ordered the removal of the
harasser by a transfer or discharge. But such an incursion, as in Anderson, would be incidental to
the employee?s right to grieve and the board?s power to effect final settlement of the grievance.
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[32]FollowingRe Courtney, the Board determined that its jurisdiction to order that a harasser
be transferred or discharged depended on ?whether a particular remedial order is absolutely
necessary to finally and effectively remedy a grievance?? (Par. 29) The Board continued:
If the grievor can be redressed without such an order, the granting of such an
order will not be ?necessarily incidental? to the employee?s right to grieve and the
board?s statutory duty to finally decide grievances, as contemplated by the courts.
It would rather be an incursion by the board into the prohibited zone of
management rights. Similarly, if such an order is not absolutely necessary to
remedy the grievance, it takes the flavour of punitive action as opposed to
remedial action. In other words, it is the necessity of a particular order to remedy
a grievance, which makes it a remedial order within the board?s powers rather
than an unauthorized exercise of management functions or punitive action.
[33]These cases establish that even though a remedial order may impact on managerial rights,
the Board has the authority to make such an order when it is necessary to do so to remedy the
grievance. Accordingly, based on the jurisprudence, it is not sufficient for the Employer to assert
that the decisions regarding the production of transcript work fall within the realm of a
management right, which cannot be usurped by the Board. If it is necessary to do so, in order to
fulfill its mandate to provide a full and final resolution of a grievance, the Board has the
authority to issue remedial orders that impact on managerial rights.
[34]As stated in Howe/Dalton/Loach, supra at par. 29, ?whether a particular remedial order is
absolutely necessary to finally and effectively remedy a grievance is directly linked to the
question of whether the board has jurisdiction to grant that order.? Thus, whether the Board has
jurisdiction over how the Employer responds to the Hunt decision, on a prospective basis,
depends on whether that issue ?is absolutely necessary to finally and effectively remedy the
grievance.?
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[35]That question, in turn, entails an examination of what was grieved. If the remedy flows
from the original grievances, and is ?absolutely necessary? to effectuate a full resolution, then
the Board has jurisdiction even though the matter involves a managerial right. If the issue does
not flow from the original grievances, and is a new issue, the Board does not have remedial
jurisdiction flowing from the Hunt decision. It should be noted that the Employer does not
contest the Union?s right to challenge whatever actions it takes in regard to transcript services
under the collective agreement, though a new grievance, or under statute. It simply contests the
GSB?s jurisdiction to do so as part of the remedy in the Hunt decision.
[36]Another factor to consider is the admonition of Ontario Court of Appeals in Re Entrop v.
Imperial Oil Ltd. (2000) 50 O.R. (3d) 18 (Ont. C.A.), at par. 57, that jurisdiction does not flow
backwards from a board?s broad remedial powers but must be based on what issues are actually
before the board or tribunal. There, the Court stated:
The Board cannot work backwards from its remedial powers to enlarge the
subject matter of the complaint. In other words the Board?s remedial powers
cannot confer jurisdiction over a matter if the Board had no jurisdiction over it at
the outset. The range of remedies available to the Board, though broad enough to
include future practices, must be linked to the subject matter of the complaint.
To the same effect is ReAmalgamated Transit Union, Local 583 and City of Calgary (2005), 139
th
L.A.C. (4) 1 (Hart).
[37]In the case before me, however, it is my conclusion that I do not have the jurisdiction to
determine whether the Employer?s new proposed regulatory model is consistent with the
collective agreement, or the Board?s decision in Hunt, as part of the remedial aspects of this case.
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The Employer?s plan raises new issues, new facts and new legal arguments and must be
contested through a new grievance.
th
[38]InRe Dana Corp. and I.A.M.A.W., Local 2330 (Hepditch)(2005), 143 L.A.C. (4) 251
(Shime), the grievor alleged that she had been improperly discharged. The grievor had been
discharged for failing to comply with the terms of two earlier awards by Arbitrator Kevin
Burkett which dealt with two three-day suspensions. At issue was which arbitrator had
jurisdiction over the discharge ? Arbitrator Shime or Arbitrator Burkett.
[39]Summarizing the case law presented to him, Arbitrator Shime set forth the following
principles (citations omitted) at pp. 254-255:
1.An arbitration board must decide the matter or matters submitted to it and no more;
the arbitration board cannot enlarge the scope of the submitted issue nor can it decide
any other grievance other than the one before it.
2.An arbitration board may complete an award but must be careful that it does not
adjudicate new facts or new issues or substantive events that occur subsequent to the
award.
3.An arbitration board when imposing conditions should be cautious, when remaining
seized, not to arrogate to itself under the guise of implementing conditions, the right
to decide about subsequent new facts and new issues of a substantive nature that
should properly be the subject matter of a further grievance and a further independent
arbitration. Also, an arbitration board should not impose open-ended conditions
extending beyond a reasonably limited period so as to capture subsequent new facts
and events. ?
4.And finally, an arbitration board does not have the authority to enforce its award and
should be cautions not to enforce its award in the guise of implementing conditions.
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Based on the facts of that case, Arbitrator Shime concluded at p. 256 that the grievor?s discharge
was a new matter, and that Arbitrator Burkett?s jurisdiction ?could not be expanded upon beyond
the original matters referred to arbitration, which were three day suspensions.?
[40]The same conclusion was reached in Re Elgin Abbey Nursing Home and Service
th
Employees Union, Local 210 (1999), 78 L.A.C. (4) 385 (Kirkwood). In that case, Arbitrator
Kirkwood allowed a discharge grievance, reducing the penalty to a two-month suspension. She
also remained seized to resolve any difficulties with the implementation of the Award. The
Union argued that the grievor should be placed into a position that had been posted four days
after her suspension was over, since she was the senior qualified employee. At the time of the
posting the grievor was still discharged and thus unable to apply, and the discharge hearing was
proceeding. The Union did not raise this issue during the hearing.
[41]Arbitrator Kirkwood held that the jurisdiction that she retained in the Award was ?very
narrow.? She continued at p. 389-90:
Therefore an arbitrator cannot, after issuance of an award, decide matters which
were not submitted at the hearing, cannot add to or expand the award, but merely
complete the award, if necessary by directing what is lacking to effectuate the
remedy. The jurisdiction to direct the implementation of the remedy must also
remain within the parameters of the collective agreement. ?. There is no right to
raise new issues.
[42]She determined at pp. 393-394 that issues related to the posting of the position ?would
not merely be completing the award by giving effect to the remedy? but would be embarking on
an entirely different and separate issue, and one that was not grieved.?See also, Re Fanshawe
th
College and OPSEU (01CO49) (2002), 113 L.A.C. (4) 328, at par. 15 (Burkett);
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[43]Similarly in Re Western School Board, District 2 and Newfoundland and Labrador
Association of Public and Private Employees (unreported decision of Christine A. Fagan, Jan.
30, 2006), the arbitrator considered her remedial jurisdiction to order reinstatement after a
determination that the Employer improperly assigned non-bargaining unit personnel to perform
the duties of a bargaining unit position. The arbitrator, in the original decision, had issued a
declaration and had remained seized in the event that the parties were unable to agree on remedy.
At the remedial hearing, the Union sought an order that one of the grievors ?be reinstated to her
full-time receptionist/secretarial position.? The Employer opposed that request arguing that,
among other things, the request for reinstatement was a new issue which constituted an
expansion of the grievances. It also argued that such an order would be punitive and would
unfairly affect management?s rights to respond to the award.
[44]The arbitrator agreed with the Employer?s position, finding that ?reinstatement is not
required for the purpose of setting a just and equitable remedy to the grievance.? The arbitrator
noted that ?damages are the common remedy associated with improper work assignments? and
that a reinstatement order would ?have the effect of derogating from [the Employer?s]
management rights to make changes to comply with the collective agreement.?
[45]The grievances that were filed in this case asserted that transcript production and
certification were the work of Court Reporters, as employees, and that the collective agreement
applied. Based on the facts presented, the Board agreed. The remedies sought ? overtime pay, a
declaration and to be ?made whole? ? do not address prospective remedies. The words ?full
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redress? or ?any other remedy that the Board thinks appropriate? are insufficient to put the
Employer on notice that far broader remedies, including restrictions on its management rights,
would be sought.Western School Board District 2 and The Newfoundland and Labrador
Association of Public and Private Employees, supra at p.8; Re Elgin Abbey Nursing Home, supra
at p. 390. Even under a broad and liberal reading of the grievances, prospective remedies were
not part of the Hunt grievances.
[46]The Union is correct that the remedies sought were not limited to overtime, but include
all rights under the collective agreement that flow to the employees and the Union. But it was
never contemplated, at the time, that the decision would impact the Employer?s right to respond
to the decision, or limit the Employer?s rights under the collective agreement prospectively. The
remedy outlined in the Union?s particulars ? posting full-time Court Reporter positions ? or its
assertions at the hearing on this motion that the Board should direct the Employer as to how it
must comply with the collective agreement in the future was never raised or contemplated.
[47]The Union argued that it was seeking a declaration that transcript production is the work
of employees in the bargaining unit and that the collective agreement applies to that work. That
is exactly what was declared in the Hunt decision. But that means that all of the collective
agreement applies, not selective parts, and the collective agreement includes management?s
rights to manage and direct the workforce.
[48]The Union further asserts that it is not claiming that the Employer can never act to change
the Court Reporters? work or functions in the future, but needs an order now so that the
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Employer?s proposal which, in its view, ?is seeking to transfer bargaining unit work to
individuals they [the Employer] believes to be third parties?..?, does not result in the parties
being back before the Board, once again arguing whether the persons doing this work are
independent contractors, dependent contractors or employees. It asserts that the Employer?s
regulatory proposal involves only ?slight modifications? from the situation that existed before.
The Union is concerned that unless the Board acts through its remedial powers to prevent this
situation through a prospective order that transcript production is bargaining unit work, labour
relations mischief will ensue with a never-ending trip to the GSB to re-litigate essentially the
same issue, creating a vicious cycle of litigation , expense and frustration. The Union points to
the Employer?s proposal that the Court Reporters ?will continue to function as independent
contractors? to demonstrate that the Employer?s proposal is simply a repetition of what existed
before, and completely ignores the Board?s determination in Hunt that this was the work of the
Court Reporters as employees, not independent contractors.
[49]The Union submits that it was exactly this type of situation that arose in the Anderson
case,supra, leading to the Court?s conclusion that ?[t]he power to require management to create
a proper classification includes the power to require management to get it right.? Likewise, here,
the Union asserts that the Board has the remedial power to make sure the Employer gets it right.
In support of its contention that, in appropriate cases, a board of arbitration may order
prospective relief, the Union also cites to Re Polax Tailoring Ltd. and Amalgamated Clothing
Workers of America (Collective Agreement Grievance) (1972), 24 L.A.C. 201 (Arthurs); Samuel
Cooper & Co. Ltd. and International Ladies? Garment Workers? Union et al. [1973] 2 O.R. 841
(Ont. Div. Ct). It also cites to a number of cases where the GSB ordered the Employer to take
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affirmative action, including OPSEU (Union Grievance) and Ontario (Ministry of Community
Safety and Correctional Services) (2004), GSB No. 2002-0163 (Briggs); OPSEU (Thompson
Grievance) and Ontario Ministry of Correctional Services [2002] O.G.S.B.A. No. 14 (Harris).
[50]The Employer counters that the new model contains ?major modifications? ? not minor
ones - and that the Employer has learned from the factors considered in the Hunt decision in
developing its plan. It contends that the facts would be entirely different and would require
substantial new evidence. It asserts that in that situation, a new grievance must be filed. It
contends that it would be improper for the Board to rule, through its remedial power in Hunt, on
a completely new fact situation. In support, it cites to Re Algonquin College and OPSEU Local
415 (Workload Information Grievance) [2007] O.L.A.A. No. 621 (Slotnick); Re Imperial
Tobacco Canada Ltd. and Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers, Local
364T (Potvin Grievance)[2000] O.L.A.A. No. 779 (Keller); Re Elgin Abbey Nursing Home,
supra; Re OPSEU (Ranger) and Ontario (Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional
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Services) (2006), 156 L.A.C. (4) 282 (Leighton). In Colonial Furniture (Ottawa) Ltd. and
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Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union, Local 414 (1995), 47 L.A.C. (4) 165, 177
(Lavery), the arbitrator, in considering the scope of his remedial authority, held that ?there must
be a clear link, an obvious nexus or a rational relationship between the breach of the collective
agreement, its consequences and the remedy order by the arbitrator and, further, the remedy must
not be punitive.?
[51]The Employer?s statement in its proposal that Court Reporters would ?continue to
function as independent contractors? was a truly unfortunate choice of words. It certainly
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appears, as the Union asserts, to ignore the Board?s conclusion in Hunt that transcript preparation
and certification was the work of Court Reporters as ?employees?, not independent contractors.
[52]However, the Union?s contention that prospective relief is required now, while admitting,
as it must, that the Employer may change things in the future without the matter falling within
the ambit of the Hunt decision, raises the question of where the line is drawn? It is one year, two
years, five years or more after the decision? It has already been more than three years since the
decision. The selection of any specific time period within which changes would be within the
ambit of the Hunt decision would be arbitrary.
[53]Further, as the case law demonstrates, the remedial power of the Board must be linked to
the subject matter of the complaint and cannot address new issues. As well, do broad remedial
powers do not confer jurisdiction. It is my view that the Employer?s proposal in regard to
transcript production raises new issues. It was developed well after the decision. Any challenge
to it would be based on new facts and require a full hearing and determination. The question of
whether that new proposal comports with the collective agreement or violates the Hunt decision
does not ?flow from? the Hunt grievances. The Board?s declaration in Hunt does not give the
Board continuing jurisdiction to ensure compliance with the collective agreement in relation to
transcript production. It does not negate management?s rights under the collective agreement on
a go-forward basis.
[54]The situation in Re Polax Tailoring Ltd., supra, was different. In that case, the Union had
sought to enforce the payment of arrears of monies owed under the collective agreement to the
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Union?s benefit fund and retirement fund. It was the second grievance brought by the Union on
this issue, and the Company had announced its intention to no longer be bound by the collective
agreement. The Union requested that the arbitrator make an order prospectivelyrequiring
payment of any future arrears so it could move for court enforcement in the event of future
breaches, without the necessity of further arbitration hearings. In these circumstances, the
arbitrator ruled at par. 17 that he had ?the power to make an order, quia timet, restraining future
violations of the agreement.? The Latin words ?quia timet? mean because of fear or
apprehension that rights may be violated.
[55]In that case, the relief clearly flowed directly from the grievance and the factual situation.
There was a continuing obligation to make payments under the collective agreement; there was
no question that the monies were owed, or the amount. The Employer simply refused to
recognize its obligations under the collective agreement. The prospective remedy was required in
the circumstances. The order restraining future violations was, using the words of Vice Chair
Dissanayake in Howe/Dalton/Loach, supra at par. 29, ?absolutely necessary to finally and
effectively remedy a grievance.?
[56]The same is not true here. The Employer?s regulatory proposal raises new facts and
issues that were not encompassed in the original Hunt grievances. Some of the legal issues that
will arise may be same, as the Union asserts, but the facts are not. In addition, because
preparation of transcripts is bargaining unit work, a whole host of new legal issues and
arguments ? many of which are set out in the Union?s particulars - may be made that did not
arise in the Hunt case.
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[57]Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, I conclude that under the specific facts of
this case, the Board does not have jurisdiction to order prospective relief.
Conclusions:
1.The issue of the Board?s remedial jurisdiction was not decided in the July 17, 2009
decision and there is no issue estoppel that arises from that decision.
2.Under the specific facts of this case, the Board does not have jurisdiction to order
prospective remedial relief.
3.I remain seized in regard to all other remedial issues arising from the Hunt decision.
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Dated at Toronto this 4 day of December 2009.
Randi H. Abramsky, Vice-Chair