GSB# 2023-03152

UNION# 2024-0378-0009

IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION

Under

THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT

Before

THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD

BETWEEN

Ontario Public Service Employees Union (Petrovicz)

Union

• and -

The Crown in Right of Ontario (Liquor Control Board of Ontario)

Employer

BEFORE

Adam Beatty

Arbitrator

FOR THE UNION

Jeremy Lee Unified LLP Counsel

FOR THE EMPLOYER

John O'Reilly Liquor Control Board of Ontario Senior Counsel

HEARING

February 4, 2026

Decision

1This matter is a grievance filed by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union on behalf of James Petrovicz.

2The GSB sent the parties a Notice of Hearing in which it clearly indicated that the matter would commence by way of videoconference on February 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The Notice of Hearing included a link to the videoconference as well as instructions for how to join the videoconference.

3Counsel for the Union and the Employer were present at 10:00 a.m. for the beginning of the hearing on February 4, 2026. The Employer’s representatives were also present. The grievor was not. The Union indicated that the grievor was aware that the hearing was scheduled for February 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The Board indicated that it would stand down until 10:45 a.m. to give the grievor an opportunity to arrive.

4The Union made repeated efforts throughout the morning of the hearing to reach the grievor with no success. In light of the grievor’s failure to attend, the hearing was adjourned.

5In the circumstances, Mr. Petrovicz is hereby directed to provide to Union counsel detailed reasons for his non-attendance at the hearing scheduled for February 4, 2026 by no later than February 25, 2026, failing which this matter may be dismissed with no further notice to Mr. Petrovicz. Counsel for the Union will communicate this decision to Mr. Petrovicz. If Mr. Petrovicz provides reasons for his absence, they will be shared by counsel for the Union to counsel for the Employer. Upon receipt of any such reasons, if the Employer intends to bring a motion that as a result of the grievor’s failure to attend on February 4, 2026, the matter ought to be dismissed, Employer counsel will advise Union counsel and the GSB accordingly so that a hearing date may be set for a hearing of that motion. If, after reviewing the reasons for the grievor’s non-attendance, the Employer does not object to the matter being relisted for hearing, the parties are to contact the GSB to request a further hearing date.