Collective Bargaining Information Services
ON, Canada
Collective bargaining resources in Ontario
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 14, 2019
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Expert Advice
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Construction
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Ontario
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grant_card_status|open
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Information for employers involved in collective bargaining processes with employee unions, including trends, recent settlements, wage developments, work stoppages and more.
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grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$68,000
Montreal
Establish a data analytics team to monitor wage developments and support bargaining decisions
$80,000
Ottawa
Create an online platform for transparent communication about wage negotiations and work stoppages
$90,000
Toronto
Implement advanced HR software to streamline collective bargaining processes in the organization
$30,000
Ottawa
Creating a digital platform for cooperative decision-making for a non-financial cooperative
$60,000
Vancouver
Develop a mediation training program for union and management representatives to prevent work stoppages
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for this grant include:
1. The parties must be regulated under the Labour Relations Act, 1995.
2. The employer and the union must have an expired collective agreement or be negotiating a first collective agreement.
3. The union and employer must be in a sector that has the ability to strike or lock-out.
4. A conciliation officer appointed by the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development must have been met.
5. The union must hold a strike vote and the majority of the votes must be in favor of going on strike.
6. The employer may request a last-offer vote from the Minister of Labour.
7. After reaching a tentative collective agreement, it must be ratified by the bargaining unit employees.
8. Collective agreements must be filed with the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
These criteria are essential for parties seeking to engage in the collective bargaining process and related activities in Ontario.
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Unions and employers involved in the process of negotiating collective agreements in Ontario can apply for the appointment of a conciliation officer under the Labour Relations Act. This involves both parties being active in collective bargaining, which can include meetings and negotiations either for the first collective agreement or the renewal of an existing agreement.
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The grant related to the collective bargaining process in Ontario involves activities surrounding the negotiation and establishment of collective agreements between unions and employers. The eligible projects focus on ensuring a smooth and legally compliant bargaining process, including assistance from conciliation officers and the handling of negotiation impasses.
- Initiating the negotiation process by providing notice to bargain for new or existing collective agreements.
- Requesting the appointment of a conciliation officer for assistance in reaching a collective agreement.
- Filing copies of newly reached collective agreements with the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
- Participating in conciliation meetings to resolve differences with the help of a conciliation officer.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Evaluation and Selection Criteria for the grant:
- Compliance with collective bargaining laws and regulations in Ontario
- Ability to demonstrate good faith bargaining between the union and employer
- Participation in conciliation process if required
- Ratification of collective agreement by bargaining unit employees
- Submission of the collective agreement to the Minister of Labour in the required format
- Adherence to strike and lock-out regulations as outlined in the Labour Relations Act
- Ability to engage in interest arbitration if necessary
- Process for requesting a last-offer vote if applicable
- Completion of all required steps in the collective bargaining process
These criteria are essential for ensuring a fair and lawful collective bargaining process in accordance with Ontario's regulations.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this collective bargaining process:
- Step 1: Notice to Bargain
- Union or employer provides written notice to the other party to begin negotiations for a collective agreement.
- Ensure compliance with timing requirements as stipulated in any existing agreements or the LRA.
- Step 2: Request Appointment of a Conciliation Officer
- Prepare and submit a request to the Minister of Labour for the appointment of a conciliation officer.
- If bargaining the first collective agreement, include a copy of the OLRB certification or voluntary recognition agreement.
- If renewing an existing agreement, attach the most recent agreement and signed signature page.
- Send the request via email to the designated address with the necessary documentation attached.
- Step 3: File New Collective Agreement
- Once a new collective agreement is reached, file it with the Minister of Labour in the required format.
- Submit through the online submission page designated by the ministry.
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Here are additional relevant details for applicants involved in the collective bargaining process in Ontario:
- The requirement for a no-board notice or a conciliation board's report to legally strike or lock-out.
- A "Request for interest arbitration appointment" must be emailed, as mail or fax requests are not currently accepted.
- Collective agreements must be submitted in a digital format (Microsoft Word or PDF) to be filed with the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
- A "last-offer vote" can only be requested once per round of collective bargaining and cannot be done by email if attachments exceed 10 MB.
- Information and data related to collective agreements are accessible through the Collective Agreements e-Library website and Collective Bargaining Ontario.
- The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) plays a significant role in overseeing votes and certain disputes, highlighting their function in Ontario's labor relations system.
Apply to this program
Understanding the Collective Bargaining Grant in Ontario
The Collective Bargaining Grant in Ontario is a resource designed to facilitate and enhance the negotiation processes between unions and employers. It provides critical support mechanisms to ensure that collective agreements are effectively reached, fostering fair employment terms and conditions for unionized employees.
Detailed Insights Into the Collective Bargaining Grant and Its Role
The Collective Bargaining Grant is an essential tool in Ontario that aims to streamline and empower the collective bargaining process between unions and employers. This grant serves a multifaceted purpose. It not only assists in facilitating negotiations for new collective agreements but also plays a significant role when it comes to renewing existing agreements. One of the primary goals of the grant is to ensure that both unions and employers have the resources and support necessary to reach agreements that reflect fair employment standards and responsibilities for all parties involved.
The grant supports a structured bargaining approach which includes notice to bargain, the use of conciliation officers, mediation, and if necessary, steps towards resolving disentanglements through strikes, lock-outs, or interest arbitration. By providing a pathway for unions and employers to engage in good faith negotiations, the grant helps maintain industrial harmony and reduces the possibility of work stoppages that can negatively impact both the economy and the working environment.
Moreover, when disputes arise, either party—be it the union or the employer—can request the appointment of a conciliation officer by the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. This is a crucial step in the negotiation process, as it enables a neutral third-party to assist in resolving differences, potentially leading to a collective agreement. The conciliation officer's role is to foster effective communication and propose solutions that might not be evident to the negotiating parties themselves. In cases where conciliation doesn't suffice, the grant guidelines allow for options such as mediation or voluntary interest arbitration to further assist in reaching an agreement.
Another critical aspect of the grant is its support for a legal strike or lock-out means. Before unions and employers can legally take such actions, they must have met all pre-requisites including undergoing the conciliation process and receiving a 'no-board' notice. This regulatory framework ensures that all other possible avenues have been explored before resorting to a strike or lock-out, thereby minimizing disruptions and fostering a more collaborative labour relations environment.
Furthermore, the grant highlights the importance of having clear terms and procedures laid out within collective agreements. It mandates the inclusion of grievance arbitration procedures, specifies the collection of union dues, and upholds the union’s exclusive right to bargain for all employees within the bargaining unit. This clarity is instrumental in preventing disputes and ensuring that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities under the agreements.
Overall, the Collective Bargaining Grant plays a pivotal role in not only facilitating fair and equitable negotiations but also in ensuring that the economic and social benefits of effective labour relations are realized. It enables transparency, accountability, and cooperation between labour and management, thereby contributing to a balanced and productive economic environment in Ontario. By supporting both the process and the parties involved, the grant upholds the values of fairness and equity in the workplace, setting a standard for labour relations practices across the province.
