Ministry of Labour
McGuinty Government To Host International Labour Relations Agency Conference
Ontario To Share Labour Relations Successes
TORONTO, July 26 — Ontario will share its expertise in labour
relations with delegates from Canada and the U.S. at the annual conference of
the Association of Labor Relations Agencies (ALRA), which will be held July 28
to August 1, Minister of Labour Steve Peters announced today.
"I am delighted that Ontario has been chosen this year to host the
conference," said Peters. "We have much to learn from the delegates and a lot
to share. I am proud that almost 98 per cent of recent labour contracts in
Ontario have been negotiated without work stoppages.
"In 1996, almost two million person days were lost to strikes and
lockouts. But 10 years later, the annual days lost per year have dropped to
fewer than 400,000," he added.
Conference delegates include mediators, arbitrators and other labour
relations neutral facilitators. The Advocates' Day proceedings will also
involve public and private sector managers and union officials.
"The conference is a place to share experiences and learn new ways of
doing business," said ALRA president Marilyn Glenn Sayan. "We have a lot to
learn from each other, and especially from Ontario, which is one of North
America's largest labour relations jurisdictions."
Peters will greet delegates at the Advocates' Day proceedings on Monday,
July 30. "I'm looking forward to sharing Ontario's view that a fair and
balanced labour relations environment is a key component of economic success."
Media note: Only the Advocates' Day portion of the ALRA conference is
open to the media: 8:45 a.m., Monday, July 30, InterContinental Toronto
Centre, 225 Front St. W., Toronto ON M5V 2X3
Disponible en français
www.labour.gov.on.ca
Backgrounder
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ASSOCIATION OF LABOR RELATIONS AGENCIES
The Association of Labor Relations Agencies (ALRA) is an association of
impartial government agencies in Canada and the United States responsible for
administering labour-management relations laws or services. The association
promotes cooperation among these agencies, high professional standards, public
interest in labour relations, improved employer-employee relationships,
peaceful resolution of employment and labour disputes, and the exchange of
information regarding the administration and improvement of agency services
including, but not limited to, mediation, conciliation, fact-finding,
arbitration or adjudication.
www.alra.org
LABOUR PEACE IN ONTARIO
Contact Info
Fair and balanced labour relations rules and labour/management harmony
contribute to Ontario's long-term productivity and prosperity.
Ontario's labour relations system provides neutral facilitators to assist
employer-labour relations during the certification and collective bargaining
processes and throughout the term of the collective agreement.
Current agreements (all industries, including construction):
(does not include negotiations falling within federal jurisdiction, e.g.,
federally regulated banks, railways, broadcasters)
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As of July 3, 2007
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9,403 agreements affecting 1,644,353 employees
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Labour contract settlements without strike or lockout:
(does not include negotiations falling within federal jurisdiction, e.g.,
federally regulated banks, railways, broadcasters)
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2006 2005 2004
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97.2%* 96.6% 96.4%
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* April 1, 2006 - March 31, 2007: 97.9%
Person days lost to strike and lockout:
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2006 1996
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394,600 1,914,900
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Working time lost to strike or lockout:
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2006 1996
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0.03% 0.16%
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Number of work stoppages:
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2006 1996
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70* 135
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* Lowest in more than 30 years of record keeping
Rate of unionization of Ontario workforce:
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2006
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28.0% (Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey)
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The Labour Relations Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005:
This act repealed measures such as a requirement that unionized businesses
post information on union decertification and that unions disclose salaries.
It empowers the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) to redress more
effectively serious violations of the Labour Relations Act, 1995.
For further information:
Media enquiries:
Belinda Sutton
Ministry of Labour
416-326-7405
Disponible en français
www.labour.gov.on.ca
For further information: Susan McConnell, Minister's Office, (416)
326-7710; Belinda Sutton, Ministry of Labour, (416) 326-7405
