GSB# 2022-11730; 2023-01789

UNION# 2023-0369-0004; 2023-0369-0052

IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION

Under

THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT

Before

THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD

BETWEEN

Ontario Public Service Employees Union (Piitz)

Union

• and -

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

Employer

BEFORE

Brian McLean

Arbitrator

FOR THE UNION

Behzad Akhkend Ryder Wright Holmes Bryden Nam LLP Counsel

FOR THE EMPLOYER

Katie Ayers Treasury Board Secretariat Legal Services Branch Counsel

HEARING

January 30, 2026

Decision

1The Parties first convened with respect to two grievances filed by the Grievor on January 17, 2024.

2At that hearing date, the Parties negotiated a Memorandum of Settlement for the first grievance, dated January 5, 2023. However, the Parties were unable to resolve the second grievance, dated September 8, 2023, in relation to a claim for unpaid sick time.

3In 2025, the Parties booked a continuation date for the unresolved grievance on January 30, 2026.

4The Union provided preliminary particulars. The Employer sought further particulars and production from the Union.

5The Employer also raised an objection with respect to a section of the particulars that referred to matters that were the subject of the first grievance, which has been settled. The Union has advised it is withdrawing that section of the particulars.

6The Parties attempted to mediate the second grievance on January 30, 2026, but were not able to resolve it.

7In order to ensure the efficient litigation of this matter, I am ordering the Union to provide any and all additional particulars with respect to the unresolved grievance by March 16, 2026. By this date, the Union is also to provide production of all arguably relevant material.

8The Employer is directed to respond to the Union’s particulars on or before April 24, 2026. This will include advising the Union if the Employer is raising a preliminary objection, and the nature of any preliminary objections it wishes to raise. This is also the deadline for the Employer to respond to the Union’s production request.

9The Union indicated that it believed that a significant amount of the relevant communication between the Parties with respect to this grievance occurred through emails. I encourage the Parties to work together on a joint book of documents with respect to said communication.

10If there are any disputes related to particulars or production, I am available to deal with such matters through a conference call, if necessary.

11This matter will proceed on June 4 and August 14, 2026.