Seasoned experts will address key issues and trends in interest arbitration in the fire sector, as reflected in recent arbitration awards across Canada.

Attendees can expect to learn principles and practices relating to the following:

• Selecting an arbitrator
• Preparing for mediation meetings and arbitration hearings
• Presenting briefs and documents at arbitration
• Examining alternative formats including conventional arbitration, med-arb, arb-med, final offer selection, and first contract arbitration
• Criteria and how they are applied by arbitrators including replication/comparability, demonstrated need and total compensation
• The treatment of substantive issues, such as wage determination, impact of inflation, staffing standards, contracting out, appropriate benefit levels, etc.
• The treatment of process issues, including ground rules, package bargaining, admissibility of negotiating exchanges, propriety of late demands, estoppel, arbitrability of bargaining unit exclusions, impact of post-hearing settlements, effect of pattern-setting settlements and awards, status of unratified settlements
• Effective remedies, including interim awards, retroactive decisions, referral for further negotiation, final orders, enforcement and judicial review

The emphasis will be on practical advice. Up-to-date materials will be provided with case summaries, overviews and analyses prepared by Lancaster’s legal staff.

Who should attend? The program is designed for:

• HR directors, professionals and executives
• Fire chiefs and deputy fire chiefs
• Union officers, representatives, advocates
• Union and management negotiators and negotiating committee members
• Labour lawyers/consultants
• Arbitrators, mediators and adjudicators