GSB# 2015-0500; 2015-2161; 2015-3014; 2017-1838; 2017-2709

UNION# 2015-0456-0002; 2015-0456-0003; 2015-0456-0004; 2017-0456-0018; 2017-0456-0020

IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION

Under

THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT

Before

THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD

BETWEEN

Ontario Public Service Employees Union (Colbeck)

Union

• and -

The Crown in Right of Ontario (Ministry of Education)

Employer

BEFORE

Daniel Harris

Arbitrator

FOR THE UNION

Tim Hannigan Ryder Wright Blair & Holmes LLP Counsel

FOR THE EMPLOYER

Jennifer Richards Treasury Board Secretariat Legal Services Branch Senior Counsel

TELECONFERENCE

July 3, 2018

DECISION

1This matter was scheduled for hearing on July 6, 2018. Regrettably, counsel for the Ministry of Education is unable to attend due to illness. There are three other dates scheduled in the future.

2By conference call dated July 3, 2018 I heard the submissions of the parties related to the Employer’s request to adjourn the hearing scheduled for July 6, 2018 due to the unavailability of employer counsel.

3The Employer submitted that it had canvassed its legal staff and was unable to find a replacement to attend the hearing.

4Also, there were no additional administrative or mediation opportunities or needs to use July 6 effectively. This matter also involves sign-language translation because some participants have hearing disabilities.

5In view of the unexpected absence of one of the parties’ counsel and the absence of any other productive activity that could be accomplished on the file, the hearing for July 6, 2018 is adjourned. The Board will attempt to reschedule the day to a date prior to the next scheduled hearing day.