GSB#2011-3371

UNION#2011-0446-0011

IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION

Under

THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT

Before

THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD

BETWEEN

Ontario Public Service Employees Union (Morrison)

Union

• and -

The Crown in Right of Ontario (Ministry of Labour)

Employer

BEFORE

Barry Stephens

Vice-Chair

FOR THE UNION

John Brewin Ryder Wright Blair & Holmes LLP Barristers and Solicitors

FOR THE EMPLOYER

Caroline Cohen Ministry of Government Service Labour Practice Group Counsel

CONFERENCE CALL

June 27, 2012.

Decision

1The parties convened a conference call at 5 p.m. this evening to consider a request from the employer for an adjournment of the hearing scheduled for Friday, June 29, 2012.

2The employer requested the adjournment on the grounds that the substance of the grievance relates to conditions of accommodation for the grievor. The parties have recently been advised that the grievor will be taking up a year-long secondment to a different ministry, beginning next week. As a result, the employer argues, discussions regarding accommodation would not be logical or fruitful, since the grievor's return to the workplace will be delayed by at least one year, by which time many factors may have changed.

3The union opposed the adjournment for a number of reasons, including the fact that the mediation date has been set for some time, and the fact that one cannot predict in advance whether mediation will be successful.

4After hearing from both parties, it is my view that the hearing on June 29, 2012 should be adjourned, to be rescheduled for a time prior to the expected end of the grievor's secondment.