Steve Matheson

The applicant filed a human rights application alleging discrimination on the basis of disability against his employer, the City of Cambridge, and his union.

The Tribunal held a summary hearing to determine whether the application against the union had a reasonable prospect of success.

The applicant alleged the union failed to assist him when the employer discontinued his accommodation, but provided no evidence linking the union's actions to his disability.

The Tribunal dismissed the application against the union for having no reasonable prospect of success, while allowing the application against the employer to proceed.

The Ontario Labour Relations Board addressed preliminary matters in a Ministerial reference regarding the appointment of a conciliation officer and a related unfair labour practice application alleging a breach of the duty of fair representation.

The Board consolidated the matters on consent, directed the applicants to serve a proper Notice of Constitutional Question, and deferred a ruling on an intervenor's standing.

To expedite the proceedings, the Board directed the parties to provide legal argument and identify proposed evidence on whether a trade union may unilaterally abandon its bargaining rights and the implications of such abandonment.