News & Events

Effective June 8, 2020, all in-person hearings scheduled before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) will be converted to teleconference hearings unless the Scheduling Administration Manager is satisfied that another alternative hearing method is appropriate. If a party objects to proceeding by teleconference, their objection will be addressed by the Vice-Chair or Panel

Union locals, pension funds, and employee benefit funds may be eligible for the Temporary Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy in their capacity as employers. Employers will generally be eligible for the Temporary Wage Subsidy (TWS) if they have one or more employees and had a business number for the purpose of making

Recent decisions from Ontario labour tribunals show that hearings can, in some cases, proceed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has prevented public gatherings from taking place, preventing parties to disputes from appearing in person before a decision maker in order to have their matters resolved. However, a few recent decisions indicate that arbitrators and

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) has announced a relief package allowing employers to defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. The WSIB has also announced that the costs for COVID-19 claims will be allocated on a Schedule-wide basis, and will not result

Both the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) have modified their services in response to the COVID-19 crisis. WSIB The WSIB’s offices are closed and they are not accepting any mail or deliveries. Their phone lines are open Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,

On March 23, 2020 the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) issued a policy document outlining their approach to claims for occupational exposure to COVID-19. The policy states that, like other WSIB claims, the WSIB will adjudicate COVID-19 claims on a case-by-case basis “based on the merits and justice of the case, taking into account

This document is intended to provide general information during the COVID-19 pandemic and should not be construed as legal advice. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on unions and workers —both in terms of the public health crisis itself and the regulatory response to it—is changing rapidly and we will provide updated information as it

In a highly anticipated decision, Canadian Union of Postal Workers v. Foodora Inc., the Ontario Labour Relations Board has ruled that Foodora couriers are dependent contractors and therefore have a right to seek certification. On July 31st, 2019, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (“CUPW”) filed an Application for Certification on behalf of couriers in

On November 8, 2019, the Ontario legislature passed Bill 124. Bill 124 is aimed at the broader public sector, including: hospitals, crown agencies, school boards, universities, colleges, long term care homes, ornge, children’s aid societies, and other boards, corporations, offices or organizations that do not carry on activities for the purpose of gain or profit

As Labour Day approaches, it is important and timely to remember the many positive contributions of trade unions and their members. Like many of our other trade union clients, LIUNA Local 506 has a longstanding program of awarding scholarships and bursaries to the children of its members in order that they can continue their education.