THE 2012 ONTARIO LABOUR LAW REVIEW (OTTAWA)
The year's top labour law developments affecting Ontario unions and employers.

Ottawa
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
November 14 & 15, 2012

Attend the 2012 Ontario Labour Law Review and catch up on the year's top developments in labour law and their impact on unions and employers in Ontario.

At this state-of-the-law conference, experienced union and management counsel will help you understand new developments in labour law and their impact on the unionized workplace.

ATTENTION LAWYERS: This conference consists of 10.75 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits and can be applied towards 9 of the 12 hours of annual CPD required by the Law Society of Upper Canada (not the New Member Requirement).

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Registration: 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

MORNING SESSION -- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
JD Sharp and Steve Waller

Ontario Labour Arbitration Update
The year's top labour arbitration awards from Ontario and their impact on union and employer representatives.

 

Ontario Labour Relations Board Update
The year's top decisions of the Ontario Labour Relations Board and their impact on union and employer representatives.

AFTERNOON SESSION -- 1:15 to 4:30 p.m.
Peter Engelmann and Charles Hurdon

Seniority: Can you take it with you when you're transferred?
Historically, seniority was a collective agreement right that was considered sacrosanct.  However, recent cases have put those traditional principles aside to protect an individual employee's human rights.  A review of recent cases where seniority was an issue in transfers to both union and non-union positions in the course of an accommodation.

Getting Harassment Investigations Right
A harassment investigation can be a lengthy and time-consuming process.  If it is not done with precision, the consequences can be severe for the parties affected.  A review of best practices on conducting harassment investigations, including bullying and personal and sexual harassment.  Recent legislative changes across Canada will also be reviewed.

Cell-phone Use, Parking Records and Hand Prints: New Frontiers of Employee Monitoring
You may be surprised to learn that your parking records, handprint and cell phone records may be used against you.  Recent cases have affirmed that employers have access to a certain set of tools to monitor employee performance and activity in the workplace, including parking records, Internet use, biometric scanning and cell phones, and shed light on how these new powers must be balanced with employee privacy rights, including the recently-recognized common-law right to privacy. 

Carelessness, Negligence and Incompetence at Work: Appropriate Responses
Distinguishing between carelessness, incompetence, negligence and general misconduct can be difficult.  How do arbitrators categorize these workplace issues?  What do arbitrators say about when discipline should and should not be used?   

 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15

MORNING SESSION -- 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Paul Champ and Laurel Johnson

Accommodation and Human Rights Update
A review of the year's top accommodation and other human rights cases from across Canada and their impact on union and employer representatives in Ontario.

AFTERNOON SESSION -- 1:15 to 3:00 p.m.
Arbitrator Judith Allen (Chair), James Cameron and Kecia Podetz

Addressing Drug and Alcohol Misconduct in the Workplace
The use and possession of drugs and alcohol in the workplace is almost always considered a serious workplace offence.  Some cases result in automatic discharge, while other cases have mitigating factors that reduce the penalty.  Recent arbitration awards shed light on when discipline is warranted, and when discipline is not the appropriate response. 

Drug and Alcohol Q&A
Panel members answer your questions on drugs and alcohol in the workplace. 

PRESENTERS

Judith Allen
Labour Arbitrator
Arbitration Investigation Mediation (AIM)
Ottawa

James Cameron
Union Counsel
Raven Cameron Ballantyne & Yazbeck
Ottawa

Paul Champ
Union Counsel
Champ & Associates
Ottawa

Peter Engelmann
Union Counsel
Sack Goldblatt Mitchell
Ottawa

Charles Hurdon
Employer Counsel
Norton Rose
Ottawa

Laurel Johnson
Counsel, Public & Labour Law Office
of the Legal Advisor for National Defence
and the Canadian Forces
Ottawa

Kecia Podetz
Employer Counsel
Emond Harnden
Ottawa

JD Sharp
Employer Counsel
Emond Harnden
Ottawa

Steve Waller
Union Counsel
Nelligan O'Brien Payne
Ottawa

 

Hotel accommodations

A special guestroom rate of $209 (standard, single/double plus taxes) has been arranged for attendees at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, 1 Rideau St. in downtown Ottawa.  

Phone Reservations directly at (613) 241-1414 and ask for the group rate for "The Ontario Labour Law Review." Reserve early as availability is limited.

The Chateau Laurier is a unionized hotel.

TUITION

Individual: $795 (plus $103.35 HST = $898.35)
Group (3+ each): $745 (plus $96.85 HST = $841.85)
Super Group (7+ each): $695 (plus $90.35 HST = $785.35)
Binder Only (each): $195 (plus $25.35 HST = $220.35)
To qualify for group rates, registrants must be from the same organization, or union local, and register together.

CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations must be in writing and received by November 7, 2012 in order to qualify for a full refund less a $50 administration fee. Non-compliance will result in liability for the entire tuition.

SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions may be made at any time.