Windsor-Essex County Labour Lawyers Representing Employers in Collective Bargaining Negotiation & Administration

Collective agreements are the foundation of the relationship between unionized employees and their employers. The drafting, negotiation, and administration of a collective agreement requires a solid, forward-thinking strategy based upon a thorough understanding of Ontario labour law.

Willis Business Law provides comprehensive advice and robust legal solutions to public and private sector employers on collective bargaining negotiation and administration. The firm’s dynamic labour law group ensures the client’s interests are protected while keeping the negotiation process productive and efficient. Clients also benefit from the firm’s extensive knowledge throughout the administration of the collective agreement.

Collective Bargaining in Ontario

Collective bargaining in Ontario is regulated by the Labour Relations Act. Under the Act, employers and unions have a legal duty to come to the bargaining table in good faith and make every reasonable effort to reach an agreement. As per the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the obligation to bargain in good faith encourages “rational, informed discussion thereby minimizing the potential for unnecessary industrial conflict”. To that end, both parties must ensure they do not engage in unfair labour practices or otherwise interfere with each other’s bargaining rights.

As finalized collective agreements can be extremely challenging to change, a poorly-drafted agreement can create long-lasting operational and financial hardships for employers. The skilled labour lawyers of Willis Business Law understand the importance of identifying potential liability issues and securing employer rights from the outset. The firm strengthens employers’ positions through extensive planning and the careful preparation of bargaining proposals.

Willis Business Law also skillfully advocates for employers in collective-bargaining-related dispute resolution processes, including conciliation hearings, bad faith bargaining applications, and first contract arbitrations.

Administration of the Collective Agreement

Aside from the collective bargaining process, the responsive labour law group at Willis Business Law continually supports employers with the administration of the collective agreement. The firm regularly represents clients in proceedings before provincial and federal labour relations boards and is knowledgeable about industry and sector-specific labour legislation.

Willis Business Law provides trusted advice to unionized employers in Ontario on all issues arising from the administration of a collective agreement, including:

• Grievance arbitrations;
• Certification and decertification applications;
• Unfair labour practice hearings;
• Judicial review applications; and
• Strikes, lock-outs, and related issues such as picketing and the use of replacement workers (strikebreaking).

Willis Business Law Provides Pragmatic Collective Bargaining Solutions to Employers in Windsor-Essex County

The knowledgeable labour lawyers at Willis Business Law have extensive experience representing employers at all stages of the collective bargaining process. The firm provides strong, sound legal strategies for ensuring the employer’s interests are secured from the negotiation stage to the administration of the final collective agreement.

Based in the heart of Windsor, Willis Business Law has developed longstanding relationships with employers throughout the surrounding communities, including Amherstburg, Essex, Kingsville, Lakeshore, LaSalle, Leamington, Pelee Island, Tecumseh, Chatham-Kent, and Sarnia. To schedule a consultation with a member of the firm’s innovative labour law group, please contact us online or call 519-945-5470.