GSB# 2023-02543; 2023-02544

UNION# 23-31; 23-32

IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION

Under

THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT

Before

THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD

BETWEEN

Canadian Union of Public Employees - Local 1750

(Policy)

Union

• and -

The Crown in Right of Ontario

(Workplace Safety and Insurance Board)

Employer

BEFORE

Stephen Raymond

Arbitrator

FOR THE UNION

Willow Petersen

Goldblatt Partners LLP

Counsel

FOR THE EMPLOYER

Ron LeClair

LeClair and Associates

Counsel

HEARING

March 12 and April 17, 2026

Decision

1The Union filed two grievances on September 5, 2023 in respect of Flex Work Arrangements (“FWA”) for Field Staff. One was a policy grievance and the other was a group grievance.

2I was appointed as the arbitrator and conducted a hearing pursuant to section 9 of the Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act, 1993.

3The Employer was obligated previously to provide ninety (90) calendar days’ notice of Return to Office (“RTO”).

4Field Staff who had FWA as of the date of the grievance (one that would have been suspended in 2020 because of the pandemic) will have that FWA reinstated no later than thirty (30) days prior to the RTO provided the Field Staff is returning to a field staff role. The Union and the Employer will collaborate to produce a list of impacted employees.

5The Employer will consider new applications for FWA from field staff under Article 25.03 of the collective agreement no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to RTO. FWAs will continue to be administered in accordance with the Collective Agreement.

6The Employer may change the flex day or work assignment. An employee who is asked to change their work assignment may decline their FWA and keep their work assignment.

7I am seized in respect of the interpretation and implementation of this award.