Overview
If you are a union workplace, trade union or labour relations law is fundamental to how you operate. If you are a non-union workplace, understanding how unions organize may help you stay non-union, assuming that staying non-union accords with the wishes of your employees. This unit will guide you through the process of certification, and your legal rights and obligations during an organization drive.
At the end of the unit, you will be able to:
- Describe how a trade union acquires the legal right to represent employees in a workplace through the process of certification
- Decide how to deal with a union organizing drive if it occurs at your workplace
- Know what you can and cannot say to your employees during an organizing drive
- Consider why you might grant voluntary recognition to a union and what that means
- Define the process of collective bargaining and the concept of bargaining in good faith
- Identify the typical contents of a collective agreement
- Avoid engaging in unfair labour practices
Author Overview
Jamie Knight is a partner at Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP, a firm specializing in the representation of management in all areas of Labour Relations and Employment law. Jamie’s practice includes acting as spokesperson at collective bargaining negotiations. Jamie has handled hundreds of arbitration cases and he frequently guides employers through the process of responding to union organizing campaigns.
Jamie also represents both employers and senior executives who require advice at the outset of employment, during employment, or particularly at the end of employment. This includes dealing with fiduciary issues and covenants designed to restrict future competition by a departing employee. Jamie is a teacher and trainer, and advocates sound human resources practices in both union and non-union workplaces. His clients are in industries as diverse as manufacturing, technology, financial services, entertainment and construction. Jamie is an experienced litigator, in the courts, at arbitration, and before administrative tribunals, including federal and provincial labour boards. Jamie is a 1983 graduate of The University of Toronto Law School. He spent 3 undergraduate years at Le College Militaire Royal De St. Jean, Quebec, and for several years Jamie was a commissioned officer in Canada’s Naval Reserve.
Jamie is a member of the Labour Relations, Administrative Law and Workers’ Compensation Sections of the Ontario Bar Association. He is an active participant in HRPAO and has spent the past few years serving on the Complaints and Investigation Committee.
Jamie has authored or co-authored over a dozen publications for use by human resource professionals and lawyers on labour relations, health and safety, human rights, and wrongful dismissal. He has taught supervisors and Human Resources professionals at the University of Guelph for 15 years, as part of the HRPAO certification program. Jamie is a frequent speaker at conferences for lawyers, executives, managers and Human Resources professionals.
