GSB# 2020-1411; 2021-0022; 2022-12115

UNION# 2020-0528-0004; 2021-0528-0004; 2023-0528-0001

IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION

Under

THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT

Before

THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD

BETWEEN

Ontario Public Service Employees Union (Chriqui)

Union

• and -

The Crown in Right of Ontario (Ministry of the Attorney General)

Employer

BEFORE

Joseph D. Carrier

Arbitrator

FOR THE UNION

Jorge Hurtado Morrison Watts Hurtado Counsel

FOR THE EMPLOYER

Ferina Murji Treasury Board Secretariat Legal Services Branch Counsel

HEARING

July 16, 2024

Decision

1This matter involves three (3) grievances filed by Melissa Chriqui, an Employee with the Ministry of the Attorney General.

2There have been numerous earlier proceedings during which attempts were made to resolve these matters and/or to establish an appropriate agenda.

3Today, July 16, 2024, Employer Counsel, Ferina Murji, was in the midst of submissions on preliminary motions relating in particular to the third of the grievances before me. At or about 12:30 P.M. there was an electrical power failure in Toronto which apparently affected two participants in the proceedings, one of which was the Grievor herself.

4Proceedings were stopped temporarily, to give the Grievor some time to reconnect. In the meantime, it became clear that both Counsel would be unable to complete their submissions today even should the Grievor be able to rejoin the meeting, I decided it would be appropriate to adjourn proceedings for the balance of the day and I so ordered at or about 1:15 P.M.

5After adjourning formally, dates were canvassed with Counsel with a view to concluding this preliminary matter as soon as possible.

6A date, November 20, 2024, which is considerably earlier than those previously scheduled, was agreed to be added to the roster for this matter.