GSB# 2022-11924; 2022-12230
UNION# 2023-0229-0003; 2023-0234-0020
IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION
Under
THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT
Before
THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD
BETWEEN
Ontario Public Service Employees Union (Newhook)
Union
- and -
The Crown in Right of Ontario (Ministry of the Solicitor General)
Employer
BEFORE
Dale Hewat
Arbitrator
FOR THE UNION
Nancy Virk Ryder Wright Holmes Bryden Nam LLP Counsel
FOR THE EMPLOYER
Suneel Bahal Treasury Board Secretariat Legal Services Branch Senior Counsel
HEARING
June 10, 2025
Decision
1This case relates to two grievances involving allegations by the Union that the Employer violated Articles 2, 3 and 9 of the Collective Agreement by engaging in harassment and discrimination against the Grievor who holds the position as a K9 handler assigned to Correctional Institutions. The first grievance involves claims of harassment and discrimination occurring when the Grievor returned to work following a medical leave related to a serious incident at work that occurred in his capacity as a K9 handler. The second grievance relates to interactions when the Employer attended his home, during the Grievor’s medical leave, to request that that he return his work K9 retrofitted vehicle. In that situation, the Grievor claims that the Employer intimidated, harassed and threatened him while he was on medical leave.
2On June 10, 2025 the Parties met and attempted to mediate a settlement of both grievances but were unsuccessful. The Parties agreed to the following time line in order to prepare for the Hearing which has been scheduled to begin on February 3, 2026:
No later than August 29, 2025 the Union will provide the Employer with its particulars of the case and its request for production.
By October 31, 2025, the Employer will provide its response to the Union’s particulars, will respond to the Union’s production request and will notify the Union and me of any preliminary objections it will be raising.
The Parties have agreed to attend a conference call with me on December 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of case management in advance of the first hearing date.
The hearing is scheduled to continue on the following dates: February 3, April 2, August 12, September 22 and October 6, 2026.
Dated at Toronto, Ontario this 13th day of August 2025.