Collective Agreement Administration & Grievance Arbitration

Our lawyers regularly advise clients on how to properly interpret and apply the provisions of collective agreements that apply in their workplace, with the goal of preventing labour relations disputes and grievances. However, as that is not always possible, our lawyers are always prepared to assist with any individual or policy grievances that our clients might face.

Being a leader in labour law, the Firm has been representing clients at grievance arbitrations since its inception. Members of the Firm attend countless grievance arbitration hearings on a yearly basis, in addition to representing clients in grievance settlement discussions and mediations.

We have excellent relationships with arbitrators across the country. Our experiences with them, and our understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, mean that we can assist our clients in selecting the arbitrator who is most appropriate for a particular matter proceeding to arbitration.

The Firm also has a great deal of experience dealing with nearly every large trade union in the country. Our lawyers are very familiar with labour relations counsel and trade union representatives, which gives us a significant advantage in light of the often subjective nature of grievance settlement discussions and arbitration proceedings.

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Quebec arbitrator upholds total prohibition of recreational cannabis use for cabin crew

TOP STORY The union grieved the prohibition of recreational cannabis use for safety-sensitive positions – including flight attendants and service directors – in Air Transat’s zero-tolerance policy implemented following the legalization of cannabis in 2018. In her decision, the arbitrator reiterated the right of an employer to implement workplace policies subject to the KVP test and compliance […]
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Training related to access to airports’ restricted areas not “training” under collective agreement: Arbitrator

TOP STORY The Union representing flight crew filed a grievance arguing that time spent renewing the ID card required to access airports’ restricted areas should be compensated as time worked. It also claimed that the training required by the Toronto Airport during the renewal process should be deemed to be training counting towards flight hours […]
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Air Canada to Dispute $426K Penalty From Airline Regulator Stemming From 2025 Events

TOP STORY Air Canada says it rejects a claim by the country’s airline regulator that it failed to live up to its rebooking obligations during a labour disruption last summer and it will push back accordingly on a formal penalty it has been handed. Air Canada to dispute $426K penalty from airline regulator stemming from […]
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For Cause Provision Defines “Cause” Too Broadly, Rendering Entire Termination Provision Illegal Under the Canada Labour Code

Recently, termination provisions in employment contracts have been subject to increased scrutiny by the courts. As a result, there are a growing number of decisions detailing the ways in which these provisions can inadvertently contravene applicable employment standards legislation. Post-Waksdale, the outcome in such cases is typically the unenforceability of the termination provision as a […]
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If Your Employee’s in Quebec, So Are You.

Employers with cross-border employees or remote-working employees should take note of the Quebec Superior Court’s recent decision inCicale v. Swiss International Air Lines Ltd., 2025 QCCS 4421. This case confirms that an employee will likely be entitled to the employment protections of the Civil Code of Quebec where they physically perform their work from the province of Quebec.
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