Human Resources Legislative Update - Labour Relations

Application of PSLRTA Extended by Regulation to Amalgamations of Children's Aid Societies

Hicks Morley — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:05:12 -0500

On June 27, 2011, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 314/11 under the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act, 1997 ("Act"). O. Reg 314/11 extends the application of the Act to the amalgamations of any two or more of the children's aid societies designated in the regulation.

O. Reg. 314/11 came into force on July 1, 2011.

PSLRTA Consultations Relating to Proposed Amalgamation of CASs Initiated by Ontario

Hicks Morley — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:13:47 -0500

On April 14, 2011, the Ontario Ministry of Labour announced public consultations relating to the proposed amalgamation of 13 Childrens’ Aid Societies ("CASs”).

The initiative was proposed by the Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare (the “Commission”), which the Ontario government established in 2009. In part, the Commission is tasked with supporting the financial sustainability and viability of CASs over the long-term through the exploration of measures that may streamline and enhance access.

]]>Based on the Commission’s sustainability criteria, 13 CASs have been identified as potential “Phase I” candidates for amalgamation. Two additional CASs have been identified as “logical partners” for amalgamation, and are currently engaged in an amalgamation planning process.

As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Labour is holding public consultations on whether Ontario Regulation 458/97 (Application of the Act) should be amended to expand the application of the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act (“PSLRTA”) to include the amalgamation of two or more prescribed Phase I or “partner” CASs, where the Phase I or “partner” CASs in question and their unions have voluntarily agreed to its applicability.

The PSLRTA provides the statutory framework for amalgamation, restructuring and integration of certain broader public sector entities.

The amalgamation of CASs was outlined in the government’s 2011 Budget.

Stakeholders and interested parties are invited to comment on this proposal before May 29, 2011.

For more information on sector-specific developments in this area, register for our June 2, 2011 conference, "Child and Youth Services in Transition: Mergers, Shared Services and Alternative Bargaining Structures".

TTC "Essential Service" Legislation Passes Second Reading, Referred to Committee

Hicks Morley — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:08:51 -0500

On March 8, 2011, Bill 150, the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, carried at Second Reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on General Government.

As previously reported, Bill 150 is proposed legislation that would designate the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service and provide for binding arbitration by a neutral third party where a collective agreement cannot be reached through bargaining.

TTC Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011 (Bill 150)

Hicks Morley — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:53:32 -0500

Bill 150, the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, proposed legislation announced yesterday by the Ontario government, has now been posted on the Legislative Assembly website.

TTC "Essential Service" Legislation to be Introduced

Hicks Morley — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:11:37 -0500

On February 22, 2011, the Ontario government announced plans to introduce the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, legislation designating the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service.

The legislation, if passed, would provide for binding arbitration by a neutral third party where a collective agreement cannot be reached through bargaining, effectively banning strikes and lockouts.

The legislation would be subject to a review after a five-year period.