Supreme Court
Decision Information
Abstract: Application for Order appointing arbitrator - Counsel for Respondents objecting to application - Respondents arguing that Applicants should have proceeded by way of Originating Notice rather than Notice of Motion - Court finding Notice of Motion served by Applicant constituting sufficient compliance with statutory provisions dealing with appointment of arbitrator.
Subjects: Arbitration and mediation - Arbitration - Arbitrators - Appointment
Decision Content
- • « • " • • ' \ I IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES IN THE MATTER OF THE ARBITRATION ORDINANCE,
AND IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATOR REOUIRED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES PUBLIC SERVICE ORDINANCE
B E T W E E N THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOC^\TION AND THE (UBLIC ALLIANCE OF CANADA
APPLICANTS and THE COMMISSIONER OF T ;ORTHWEST TERRITORIES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF ; NORTHWEST TERRITORIES I RESPONDENTS Application for an Order appointment an Arbitrator :'̂ '2:d at Yellowknife July 7th, 1978 Preliminary o.'-^ction of respondents dismissed. Reasons for Judgment ^-:ied: July 12th,1978.
Reasons for Judgment by The Honourable Mr. Justice C.F. Tallis Counsel on the Hearing I Mr. James R. Scott for the Applicant Mr. A. Brien for the Respondent ^
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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES ft IN THE MATTER OF THE ARBITRATION ORDINANCE, AND IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATOR REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIEo PUBLIC SERVICE ORDINANCE
B E T W E E N THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION AND THE PUBLIC ALLIANCE OF CANADA
APPLICANTS and -THE COMMISSIONER OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES AND THE ^^QVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES I RESPONDENTS Counsel on the Hearing: Mr. Jamts R. Scott for the Applicant Mr. A. Brien for the Respondent REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C. F. TALLIS
This is an application for an order appointing an arbitrator pursuant to section 12 of the Arbitration Ordinance, R.O.N.W.T. 1974 Ch. A-4 and Section 42(3) of the Public Service Ordinance. R.O.N.W.T. 19 74 Ch. P-13. In support of this application the applicants filed the affidavit of one Ed McRae: ft " I , ED McRAE, of the City of Yellowknife. in the Northwest Territories, Executive Secretary Treasurer, MAKE OATH AND SAY:
2 -I 1. THAT I am Executive Secretary Treasurer to the Northwest Territories Public Service Association and as such have a personal knowledge of the matters hereinafter deposed to except where stated to be upon my information and belief.
2. THAT the parties to this matter are parties to a Collective Agreement dated the 1st day of August, A.D. 1976 which has a term from the 1st day of April, A.D. 1976 to and including the 31st day of March, A.D. 1978. In addition, the said Collective Agreement contains Article 42 which purports to continue the terms of the Collective Agreement as follows:-
'42.04 Where a notice to commence collective bargaining has been given under clause 42.03, the employer shall not without consent by or on behalf of the employees affected, increase or decrease salaries or alter any other term or condition of employment of employees in the bargaining unit which was in force on the day in whirh the notice was given until a renewal or revision of the Agreement or a new Collective I Agreement lias been concluded, or an arbitral award has been handed down in accordance with subsection 3 of Section 42A of the Public Servi ce Ordi nance . '
And the Applicants beg leave of this Honourable Court to place a copy of the same before the Court.
3. THAT on or about the 17th day of January, A.D. 1978, the Applicants gave notice in writing to the Respondents pursuant to Article 42.00 of the said Collective Agreement to commence collective bargaining.
4. THAT subsequent to the 17th day of January, A.D. .1978 and from time to time thereafter collective bargaining did take place.
5. THAT during the course of collective bargaining it became necessary to cause a Statement of Claim to be issued to continue collective bargaining the same being issued in the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories as Action ftA273. 6. THAT during or about the month of June, A.D. 1978 it became apparent that collective bargaining was failing. ) 7. THAT now shown to me and marked as Exhibit "A" to this my Affidavit is a copy of a letter dated the 74th day of June, A.D. 1978 by myself and delivered
- 3 ft to the Defendant, S.M. Hodgson, Commissioner, Government of the Northwest Territories. 8. THAT now shown to me and marked as Exhibit "B" to this my Affidavit, is the reply I received with respect to Exhibit "A" herein, and received from Comissioner S.M. Hodgson.
9. THAT now shown to me and marked as Exhibit "C" to this my Affidavit is a copy of a letter dated the 22nd day of June, A.D. 1978 which I caused to be written and delivered to the Respondent, S.M. Hodgson, Commissioner, Government of the Northwest Territories.
10. THAT now shown to me and marked as Exhibit "D" to this my Affidavit is correspondence dated the 23rd day or June, A.D. 1978 which I received in reply to the previous mentioned pieces of correspondence.
n . THAT known shown to me and marked as Exhibit "E" to this my Affidavit is a copy of my letter dated the 26th day of June, A.D. 1978 again addressed and delivered to Commissioner S.M. Hodgson, Government of the Northwest Territories. ft 12. THAT to the date of execution of this Affidavit there has been no arbitrator agreed upon by the Government of the Northwest Territories, or our association.
13. THAT we propose that the Court doth appoint one of those arbitrators named at page 5 of our Exhibit "A" or alternatively, appoint one of the following:-
• 1. Fred Laux Barrister & Solicitor University of Alberta Law School , Edmonton, Alberta
2. John Baigent Barrister S Solicitor Vancouver. British Columbia
3. Collin E. Taylor Barrister & Solicitor Edmonton. Alberta
14. THAT, as indicated, the Respondents herein have ft refused to agree and continue to refuse to agree to appoint an arbitrator.
15. THAT the parties herein have been without a Collective Agreement since March of 1978 and the » employees have been deprived of the terms of the Collective Agreement. I do verily believe that there is some great urgency to have this matter concluded.
16. THAT I make this my Affidavit in support of the application herein contained."
The e x h i b i t s to t h i s a f f i d a v i t are as f o l l o w s
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C. - 5 ym. X / 1 / \ • \ 1 •'•WK'^.r.'.. 13 D3-3?3-5oa3
DATr:: 14 J u i l C 197 8 OUBFILE: 4 ViV. S.M. Hodgson Commissioner Government of KM/.T. YollowUnife, N.V/.T. Dear S i r : kPlcase be a d v i s e d t h a t b e c a u s e tlic p a r t i e s t o t h e c u r r e n t PA?;rec;nent liavc been u n a b l e to rcacli aorccincuit tln'oufji c o l l e c t i v e barga in ing p r o c e s s , p l e a s e a c c e p t ti-iis l e t t e r as our formal not ice of ]:)lacing a l l t h e o u t s t a n d i n g i t ems be fo r e an A r b i t r a t o r , pursuant to S e c t i o n 42(3) of tlie P u b l i c S e r v i c e Ord inance fo r f ina l d e t e r m i n a t i o n . I t i s our lu- iders tanding t h a t tlie o u t s t a n d i n g i t ems c o n s i s t of /^/ the f o l l o w i n g : 1. A r t i c l e IS - V a c a t i o n - L e a v e : 1 6 . 0 1 13.02 15.04 18.05 . • 18.06 18.07 18.10 18.11 ( e n t i r e t y e x c e p t 3 ( b ) ) 18.12 2. Ar t i c l e . 20 - S ick Leave 20.10 (ou r s ) \
14 Juno ifiyg
ft^A rticle 2 2 - Hours c 2 2.01 22.02 22.03 22. 04 2 2.0 :. 22.06 22.07 22.08
Article 23 •- Overtim 23.01 23.02 23.03 23.04 v_ 23.05 23.06 23.07 23:08 r Article 24 - Pay : 2'i . CI 24.02 24.03
24.04 24.05 24.07 24.08 • 24.09 -: '̂- Article 2 9 - Standby: 29.01 (entirety except (1))
7- Article 51 - Travel on Day of Rest or Dosigi^atcd Paid Holiday:
31.01
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( i i i i i s s i o n e r - 3 - 14 J u n e 197 8 I Article 37 A d j u s t m e n t of Dlspii l 37. 01 37. 15 37. 02 37, 10 37. 03 37, 17 37. 04 37, IB 37. 05 37 19 37. 06 37, 20 37. 07 3 7 21 37. OS 37 22 37. 09 37 2 3 37. 10 37 2 4 37., 11 37 25 37., 12 37 26 37,, 15 37 27 37,. 14 Article 40 Joint Consultation 40 .01 40 .02 4 0 .03 I1 0, Ar tide 42 Duration and Rcnev;al 42 .01 42 .02 42 .05 42 .04 11. Appendix A2 - Hours of V<ork and Overtime -. Correction Officers
12.. Appendix A7 - Casual Employees 13. Appendix AS AYTC Instructors, Community Adult Education Instructors, Ilo'ie hKanagei:ient Developmo]-)t Officers
14. Appendix A9 - Agreed exucpt A9.03 \
,)iiimissionor 14 June 197c; I 15. Appendix AID - l ^cna log i ca l ]-;ictor IG. Appendix Cl Apjicals Procedure 17. Appendix C2 - Settlement Allowance 18. Appendix C3 - Rei-,ioval Expciises 19. Appendix C4 - Rental Rates and Rejital Conditions 20. Appendix C5 - Duty Travel Expenses 21. Appendix C6 - Employer Accojiimodation Policy I 2 2. Appendix C7 - R a t i o n P o l i c y 23. Appendix CS - P r o v i s i o n of IVork Cloth i i ig and Uniforms 24. Appendix C9. - Safety and Health 25. Appendix CIO - -Education Leave 26. Letter of Understanding - Travel Insurance Indemnity Ti . Industrial First Aid Certificate Premium 28. Appendix DI - Pay Schedules f, Rates 29, Appendix D2 - Pay Schedules T, Rates 30. Appendix D3 - Pay Schedu le s f, Rates \ 31. Appendix D4 -. Pay Scl iedulos (; I ' a tcs 4/r.
c:ommiss.ioner - S - 14 J u n o 1 9 73 ftP u r s u a n t t o t h e t e r m s of t h e Arlvlt I'a t i o n O r d l n a i u i o , v e p r o p o s e t h a t t l ie A r b i t r a t o r be one of t l i e f o l l o w i n g : 1. P e t e r M. Owen, Q.C. - ' c / o Lav.' C o u r t s L u i l d i n g Ed mo n t o n , A1 h e r t a
Kemu;ti l Norman c /o Eacu . I ty o T Law U n i v e r s i t y o f Saslcatcl ' icwan S a s k a t o o n , S a s k . 3 . Marguer:i- to E. J aC i : son Rosenhloom and J a c k s o n , . 4 1 0 - 1 9 8 W. H a s t i n g S t . V a n c o u v e r , 15. C . VGB 1112 Timotl^y J . C l - i r i s t cn 310, 10310 - 10 2 Avenue Edmonton, A l b e r t a ) R.A. C a l l a g h e r .135 G a r r y S t r e e t W i n n i p e g , I-Lanitoba Thomas J . IValsh, Q .C. c /o h ' a l s h , Young f, Co. 1500, 7 27 - . 7 Avenue -S.W C a l g a r y , . A l b e r t a
C l i v e I-!cKce 31 * v-o licKce L i m i t e d 5931 Mur.ine D r i v e V/est V a n c n u v e r '̂ C, • n the e v e n t t l i a t you c a n n o t , o r w i l l n o t , a g r e e t o t h e a p p o i n t icnt of o];e o l t l ie a ' ^ove , i t i s o u r i n t e n t i o n t o i n s t r u c t o u r • o l i c i t o r s 10 j;ia];e t l io n o c o s s a r ) ' a p p l i c a t i o n s p u r s u a n t t o 'Cction 1 2 ( 2 ) of t h e A r b i t r a t i o n O r d i n a n c e . ) ^
,;jiimiSSioner ' . - C 14 J u n e 197S ft
V;ould you p l e a s e r c s p o i u l w i t h i n t e n (10) d a y s t o o u r o l f i c c i n Y 011 o \v ]< n i r c , N . IV. T. Yours t r u l y , /] ' /f/l^'' '// \iy E. McRae Exe cu t iV e S e c r c t a r y - Tr e a s u r e r -N.W.T. P u b l i c S e r v i c e A s s o c i a t i o n B l / j P • . . cc: R. B a t e s G. Mul l i n s \
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- 11 -^ y - ft • • yz OFFICr . OF T H i : COf.'.MlSSlONF.R NORTHV,'fIST TE;-<RITOniES CANADA
HAND DELIVERED / I' ^ i-y <ZSL^. Mr. E . H c R a e , Execut ive S c c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r c r , The Nor thwes t T e r r i t o r i e s Pub l i c Service A s s o c i a t i o n , P.O. Box 1116, Y e l l o w k n i f e , N.W.T. Dear Mr . M c R a e : I Your letter giving notice to arbitrate puzzles and disappoints me. I do not understand why you have chosen to go this route when only a week ago both parties were attempting to find a mutually acceptable day to resume negotiations. Nothing has occurred in the interim to prevent this return to the table.
The long list of unsettled items included in your letter is evidence to me that the bargaining process should continue. As I understand it, some of these points have barely been mentioned in negotiations. To bring in a third party at this point is unnecessary and, worse, would amount to an admission of the failure of the' parties '^<^ sincerely wurk at overcoming the obstacles that s'p,..rdte us.
I beli'--/e that it is in the best interests of the employees of the GoverniTient, and of the Government itself, that our negotiating teams be instructed to get on with their work to deal openly and fairly and to use all of their skills and abilities to reacii an agreement. The questions with respect to certification and the outstanding court hearing will proceed apace and ought not to distract us from our orimary process.
I liave f a i t h i n the c o l l e c t i v e b a r g a i n i n g p rocess , and w i t h good ft w i l l on bo th s ides I s i n c e r e l y b e l i e v e i t w i l l work . The Government i s p repared to n e g o t i a t e , but i t c a n ' t be and never
\ . \ riLH ^;__--^ ^c-- / . . - / Y e l l o w k n i f e , H.IJ.T XlA 2L9 20 June 1973.
12 -ft - 2 - i s a one way s t r e e t . We a r e n o t a lways a 1 wa ys \! ron c]. T he r c ha s t o be c; i vo an dt a k e T h e r e f o r e , I s i n c e r e l y b e l i e v e t h a t t o g e t h e r and g e t b a d ; t o t h e b a r g a i n i i u i i n s t r u c t e d our n e g o t i a t o r s t o do : i u s t o p i n i o n t h a t \.'e have n o t e x h a u s t e d , i m a g i n a t i o n , a l l avenues f o r s e t t l e m e n t .
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( •> I I ; |_ ^ \ -'z r i g h t , b u t we a re no^-on bo th s i ci -3 s . b o t h n n r t i e s s h 0 uI d g e t • t a b l e , I h d \' e t h i s , as i t i s my by any s t r c t c h 0 f t h e Y 0 u t̂ s s i n c c r e 13', / L /h^^^oo S . f-l. Hodgson Commi s s i o n e r .
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d-:>:^.'yy:.^ z>- .'yzZ'.'z '• If^Paiif- fi^J'f ̂ -'^-^nr- -^'' ''.zyz(y:^y' -i 1 -3 ; \v :<^^??; ,^ : .w.T. ^[zyiJz<i-^ yyzz^jzt y yyzzyd^ 03-o73-oS33 I i^-^ li Z^^'i y ^ i ^ J HM-ID DELlVF.PvED Mr. S.M. Hodgson Co.mTnis.sioner Government of N.\J.T Ye l lowkn i f e , K.II .T. Dear S i r : Please be advised that your letter of 20 June 1978 has been received, I and the following comments seem V7arranted. It is indeed unfortunate that our Association has been forced into a position of having no alternative but to proceed to arbitration on the outstanding iten̂ s. The clii'̂ ate surrounding the current round of Negotiations lias put us in a position v;here a return to the Bargaining Table is inpossiblc.
\'/hile ve certainly m-iderstand and appreciate your views on the collective bargaining process, x-je do not feel that you have been fully appraised as to .the extent of aniiaoslty that has been generated by your Negotiating Teair..
The display of arrogance and conterp.pt of the collective bargain tng process deinonstrated by your Negotia.tiug Team has hardened our Tcar.'s position into one of inf l-:::;!'-IJ. Ll-y. '.-."nile v,-e n:̂ ~rcci:-.t i ---v̂ atterr.pt to interced-- a..d ̂ ^ur cor.i.rients in relation to collect Lve bargaiiiing, ve ni_ afraid that your intervention has come too late.
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z^zZTXzyz)^izr(^-^y^•yzz^^ .J rr-'.i;'--'i'".,j f).Ciy(y^yry^y?: y^ y^'Z ''Z 'Z 11—• . " T ^ '^yy^y<iy'yz\. v. > I-rO;l-.•.-:• » • ' . • . - . < . ^ ; , ! • . '_ ^ ^ DATE: 22 June. 1973 CJHPILE: 4 - 1
14 -;, Lone] - 2 - ft \?e a r e p r e p a r c - d t o p u t o u r i ioivi . t ioiv; befo-'-e ar.y o n e of jn iggef . ted :ln o u r l i ' t t c u " of 14 Jim-j 1 9 7 3 . o r v ; i l l n o t . , ag:.-ee t o aTiy of t h e p-.u-sous '.•o s . u g ; ; c s t e d , v e a r e t o i n s t r u c t o u r s - i l i c i - t o r s t o t a k e t h e a i i ; u - o p r i e . t e l e g a l I f v.'e do n o t h e a r fro;--! y o u r o f f i c e a s t o p e r s o n s nai.ied on o r b e f o r e 29 JuPie 1 9 7 o , insl-J.-uct o u r ;-.c)l-i.c.:i.tors t o con-.rLt'-uce i i rocc;ed. i i ;gs t o liavi-- a.n a r i ) . L t r a t o r a p p o i n t e d .
Yours t r u l y , • ' • E. Mcllae I'̂ y.ecutive Secretary-Treasurer N.VJ.T. Public Service Assoclati.on
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( . 22 Ju ;u- V)'iZ, t l : e s e v e n p-;-r.';onr. i f if.^'Z .sone r e a s o n y o u cai-u'-ot, ]u.-c-pare(l a c t j o n . t h e a c c e p t a n c e of o n e o f t r i e p l e a s e lu? adv i s . ed t l i a t \izt v.'i.ll
-•'-f hr \ ft O F n c E Or T I I L : COM.MISSIONEfJ KiOH-rH.7i£ST vr.r^ HI TO rii :;s ?n.'e :!= CAtJADA
Ye l lowkn i re XlA 2L9 2 3 Ju.'ie 197
HAND DELIVERED
Hr. E. H c R a e , E x e c u t i v e S e c î e t a ry - T r e a s u r e r , T h e H 0 r t h v,' est T e n n t o î i a s i. Pub l i c S 0 r \' i c e A s s o c i a t i o n , P.O. Box 1116, Y e l l o w k n i f e , l i .W.T. ..•'•. Dear H r . H c R a e : Thank you f o r your June 22nd l e t t e r . I would not no r ina l l y answer but i t does seem to me t h a t you should be app r i sed of the s i t u a t i o n and t! ie op in i ons ex[3ros s ecl as a r e s u l t o f the n e g o t i a t i o n s . \ F i r s t o f a l l , i t d o e s n ' t seem to me t h a t anyone can be const rued as be ing f o r ced i n t o any p a r t i c u l a r p o s i t i o n when i t comes to nego t i a t i ons ^ As you know, I have had n^any yea rs ' expe r ience i n the a r t of n e g o t i a t i o n s in inuch much b igger s i t u a t i o n s t i ian the present one, w'ni le of course each and every n e g o t i a t i o n :i s i m p o r t a n t v.'tietiier i t be f o r f o u r people or 40,000 as was the case in my prev ious r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s . When one f i n d s a s i t u a t i o n w h o r e there are so zzauy ou ts tandi nc; i t ems , t li e n o r e 0 u i" s e one soon concludes t h -2 re has b e 3 n _ r e l a t i ve n ,• L -1- "I l y I I L. u I e n e g o t i a t i o n . ilegoti a ti ng is an a r t - - s o m e have i t and some d o n ' t - - b u t it seei^is to me that surely to goodness th ore a re a n u m b e r , of i ten's that could be v/orked out 1'/ i t h goo d w ill C .'! both, s i d e s . There is notiiing to be gained by e i t h e r t he Un ion or the Gov e r n m e n t becoi-i ng in v o l v e d in a lot o f a c r i n-ony. I have n o t e d you r -feelings that the Goverp.":&nt n e g o t i a t o r s Have d i s \) 1 ea s e d you and that in your wore','", "has placed 7 0 u r p o s i t i o n i n to on e of i nf1exi bi 1 It is s t r a n g e that y 0 should s ay t li a t, b e c a u s e the ir;press on given is that y o u are the prob l e i f a n d that it is impossibl to do any tin n a in \ n e g o t i a t i on s as long you are at the b a r g a i n i n g t a b i c . ^ ^
- 2 ft The 01 li e î s i e . \'; e 1 s t h a t \-.' "i t h o uy to u r p r e s e n c e an agroeir.ent c o u l d soon b; !-er c-a0d . Of c o u r s e I haS:_ten to a'dc!, ',-;hether or n o t t h e r e is any laore truth to this i m p r e s s i o n than t h e r e is to th; i m p r e s s i o n y o u s t a t e is soi^iethinq I a m - n o t able to judg e .
You m e n t i o n e d t h a t I am a t t e m p t i n g 10 i n t er c s d e and t h a t ezvy interventi o n - o n my pa 1̂ t is too l a t e . I mi;,S t say t h a t second s u r J'J î i S e , sa e X p e r i one e li cl s p e r s u a ed d me t h a t is too late g i v e n good v; 111 0 n both s i d e s , the s o l u t i o n s is f or both s i (Ies to c!ian ge t h e i r teams. If y o u r ne go ti a tors can ' t - g e t a 1 0g n \-,' i t li 0 u r and they can't get a 1 0 n g \\ i t h y0 u , t h e n i t has. become a matter of p e r s o n a l i t i e s .
The peo p i e 0 -P t h e north have a tremendous s 10 c tc in t h e i r Gove mm e n t and the i r \i u b lie s e rv a n t s . I ha V e s p e n t the b e s t years o f my 1 i re b u i 1 d i n g t li i is n s t i t u t i o n and I t h i n k I h a v e l ooked a f t e r t h G w el fare of the s t a f f to t he best of my a b i 1 i t y I ce r t a i nly take a ve ry d i m v i e w of s e e i n g it all go down t li e t u be b ccau5e of per s 0 n a 1 'i t i G s . C o n s e q u e n t l y
I f e e l t ii e r e h as b G e n little n eg 01 i a t i 0 n , and b e l i e v e t h a t both s i d e s s h 0u ld got back to t he b a r g a i ni ng t a b l e , and perhaps w i t h s ome new faces. I ha Ve no i nt Grrti 0n of p l a y i n g \ games w i t i l any one but I am not g o i n g to si t idly by and see anyone , r e g a r d less of who they r e p r e s e n t , c a u s e n;a j o r • u p h e a v a l s v/hich i n the 1 ong run \-/i 11 be in j uri 0us to the p e o p l e of tlie T e r r i t o r i e s .
If that isn't frank e n o u g h , then p e r h a p s I s h o u l d be a 1 i 11 l e more T ran I b\j simp s a y i n g t h a t t h e r s 1 no n e e d f 0 r a r b i t r a t o r , as i n my op i r. i o n t h e n e g o t i a t i n g to be f u l l y i n s t i t u t e d ' . I t has worked f o r y e a r s w i t h P u b l i c S e r v i c e A s s o c i a t i o n , and c o n t i n u e s T e a c h e r s ' A s s o c i a t i o n , so consoq.uen t l y a r b i t r a t i o n a t t h i s t i m e .
S.. M. H o d g s o n , ^' Comtili ss i o n e r . '
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i s t i i e n o t h ' fig P0rlia•-;s one o f n e g o t i a t i n g p e o p l e
a n p r o c e s s has y e t t h e " t o work w i t h t h e I .do n o t s u p p o r t Y o u r s s i n c e r e l y ,
- 17 •zl/ .0: ^^:nzz^ n • ' i h < , V •y-'- ' , ly 1110 jVVi<iMir;E, ^ h W . T V-'^,y^y:\^^zz^ z^JLryzzK HAND DELIVERED
;''r S.M. Hodgson Commiss ione r Government of N.V.'.T Y e l l o w k n i f e , A . h . T . Dear Mr. H o d g s o n ; L 1 This will acknoivlcdge receipt of )-our letter of 25 June 197:
\ Althougji we see little value in furtlua- dialogue witli rcgarv to this situation, several points raised by )-our letter demand our response. In kce]iing •i,-it'n tlic frankness of )'our letter, our comments v/ill be franic and to tlie point.
It is clear that there are tivo differing ):)0ints of view on these negotiations and hoi\' the)' have progressed. I sliould point out tj-iat neither myself nor Dave Dunn arc voting members of our Team. Our role is one of su.iiport, and v;e g ive a d v i c e whicii may or mia)' not be accepted s e n i o r c x c c - a t i v e comj^ri.se t l ie v o t i n g members of r.wz Team, and t h e i r d e c i s i o n s a r e g u i d e d b)' t l ic d e s i r e s e s t s of u u r e n t i r e m e m b e r s h i p . As you A-.'ell knov,' fro;,i y o u r p r e v i o u s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y i s t o n e g o t i a t e a c o n t r a c t members, bo t h e y 4 o r 4 0 , 0 0 0 . Tiiat i s p r e c i s e l y a t t e m p t i n g t o d o . G r a n t e d , t l i c r c a r c a g r o a t number of o u t s t a n d i n g as we l iave s a i d i n t l i e ] )as t , i f t l ic l-;mployer put h i s p o s i t i o n s in w r i t i n g ar.d s t a n d be l i ind v. ' i l l inr ; t o c o n s i d e r them p r i o r t o A r b i t r a t i o n . Ei:ipIoycr no a c r i m o n y b u t simnj}- i e o l ) l i u i l t up suc l i a c l i m a t e of ; : ; j s - t r u s t no t l i ing f u t l i c r c a n be acco inp l i sa . ed a t
' •: ': ( - - y - •• : - -^ - • : i - - - ; i u • ; • " r - - - ' . ' -" ;o . - . .V , f.\ '".' •;."> V - - , f / .--•;.;N^^ O i '<-l.l~'.'i','. » •' -•',>;••. '•,: •^r DATE: 2 6 1 9 7 S OUR FILE: 4
Our e l e c t e d and b e s t i n t e r ex i :>er icnce , a T r a d e U n i o n ' s a c c e p t a b l e t o i t s v,hat \\o a r c i s s u e s , b u t i s w i l l i n g t o t l iem, we a r c !,"c b e a r t h e ti-ic Ch ie f ' N e g o t i a t o r l ias and a n i m o s i t y t l i a t t h e t a l i l c .
I 6 .oiimi I s s 2 ft lie;;I-ri',: • l . j f a c t bot i i j i a r t i c s f e e l t l i a t ])C]-so;ia 1 i t i OS on t h e o t l i e r ' s tcn-.i a r c a c o n t r i b u t i i u a sc t l . l c j i i on t , t h e f ; ic t r e m a i n s tiuii p o s i t j . o n s . adopted h\- t h e ] i ; i r t i (^s Irss been our A s s o c i a tioj-i h a s c o n s i d e r e d . Pcrha]")S t h e s i t u a t i o i i \vould be d i f r c r c n t spokcsi'.ian d i d n o t make o r t c i ' s i n wj-j t i n g tlicm when \:c a c c e p t ; o r m,-ikc s t a t c i . i e n t s i f t h i n g s d i d n o t j i r o g r c s s more s p e c d i l ) ' , a d d i t i o n a l l-)os 1 ti ons . This is not the art of nopotiatin; as ive know it.
Perhaps the situation Avould he different if your Team's spol^esman did not v.'ritc to all our members announcing nciv rents, etc. stating th:it agrcciiicnt to these changes had been rcaî .l-ied at Joint Consult at j on v.-jicn, in fact, no such consultation liad taken place.
Perhaps the situatic'n would be different if your Team's spokcsma-i had signed off those Clauses not in disji'atc. Our list of outstanding issues \̂-ould ccrtai.nly be shorter.
Perhaps the sitiuition i-;ould be diLfercnt it )'our Team's ) spokesman had met the conditi.ons laid out in Mr. ]))'ck's telex of 13 June 1978.
Tf the Ordinance or the Collective Agrecr.ient had provided alternative avonuf's of resolving disputes ciur.ing negotiations, io: mcdJ-ation, conciliation, \:c v.̂ ould have suggested one of these avenues. Unfortunatel)', ncitluM- oE these options were contemplated b)' the Legislators and th.us , v/e have only tlie route of Arbitration.
l\'o are at a loss to understand the Government's intransigent position in refusing to go before an inde]rendcnt tliird part)'. It is our understanding that this is the next logical step.
As stated in our letter of 20 June 197S, -we arc prepared to .put al_.l_ of our jiositions iji front of an Arbi. trator. . The reluctance of tlie Cc\'ornment to do the same raises cpiestions m our mind ;is to the ability of the Covorn;;;ont to defend the positions that they have taken.
) ^ ^ ^
:.•[) , ) ' ! : : ( . • I S f a c t o r t o nc^t rcu ich ing t l ie a u r a i - c n t lur . ' i c t ld inr . t h e onl)- f , ac to r i f }-our Team ' s and l a t e r \.-itiidra\-; t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t lie -would \-.-ithdra.w
- 19 ,0)11111-1.5̂ s 1-oner 26 J u n e 197S ft lve liave gix 'cn you ample o i i j io r tun i t ) ' t o p i -oceed \ . ' i th a r b i t r . ' i t i o i i . IVc h; ' \ 'c s u . g g e s t c d s e v e r a l accc]^ ta .b lo a r b J I r a toi"s , V,k: have cx tc iuked t h e tii,ic: r e c i u i r c t l uiid-'i' t h e la\-,-. .Since you r e f u s e t o p r o c e e d , \-.-c h ; u ' c , a c c o i-J i ngl ) ' , tod; i ) ' ad\-isc:d ou r s o l i c i t o r s t o coriir.ieiico t h e n e c e s s a r y l e g a l a c t i o n t o liavo an Al"b i t r a t o r appo i n t cd . Yours t r u l y , ^ /:4 (Z ., E. McRae Executive Secretary-Treasurer N.W.T. Public Service Association
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20 ft Section 12 of the Arbitration Ordinance, R.O.N.W.T 1974 Ch. A-4 reads as follows: "12. (1) In any of the following cases: (a) where a submission provides that the reference is to a single arbitrator and the persons whose concurrence is necessary do not, after differences have arisen, concur in the appointment of an arbi trator;
(b) where an arbitrator or an umpire is to be appointed by any person and that person does not make the appointment; and
(c) where an arbitrator or umpire refuses to act or is incapable of acting or dies and the person having the right to appoint a person to fill the vacancy has not made the appointment;
a party may serve the other party or the arbitrators or the person who has the right to make the appointment, as the case may be, with a written notice to concur in
» the appointment of a single arbitrator or to appoint an arbitrator or umpire. (2) Where an appointment is not made within seven clear days after the service of the notice referred to in subsection (1), a judge may, on application by the person who gave notice, appoint an arbitrator or umpire.
(3) An arbitrator or umpire appointed under subsection (2) has the like powers to act in the reference and to make an award as if he had been appointed by consent of all parties."
Section 42(3) of the Public Service Ordinance, R.O.N.W.T 1974 Ch. P-13 reads as follows: "(3) Where the parties to collective bargaining have bargained collectively in good faith with a view to concluding a collective agreement but have been unable to reach agreement on any term or condition of employment, the parties shall agree to submit their differences to arbitration pursuant to the Arbitration Ordinance."
)
21 ft This matter came before me on Friday, July 7th, 1978 at the court house in Yellowknife. At that time Mr. Brien, counsel
for the respondents took a preliminary objection and it was agreed by counsel that this objection should be dealt with before proceeding any further. Learned counsel for the respondents contended that the applicants should have proceeded by way of originating notice rather than by way of notice of motion. In making this submission Mr. Brien candidly acknowledged that he was not asking to have the application dismissed on this footing but feels that proceeding by way of originating notice would have given the respondents additional time between the service of the motion and the hearing of the application. ) Learned counsel for the respondents referred to Part 30 of the Rules of Court and ia particular Rule 394 and Rule 395 ( 1 ) , (2) and (3). These Rules provide as follows: "394. This Part applies (a) where by a statute or regulation the court or a judge is designated as having authority to issue any certificate or make any direction or order (otherwise than in any action), and (b) no procedure for an application to the court or a judge is provided.
395. (1) In any such case it is not necessary to file any document commencing proceedings, but the applicant shall, on an affidavit of the facts, apply ex_ parte to a judge, who may
(a) proceed to determine the matter, e_x parte, or (b) direct that the matter be set over for hearing on notice, in which case the judge shall designate what persons are to be served with notice, and ) may prescribe the nature of the notice, and the time for and mode of service.
- 22 ft (2) The directions given shall either be endorsed upon the affidavit of facts or set forth in an order. (3) Subject to any such directions, the form and content of the notice and the procedure applicable shall be as provided in Part 33, mutatis mutandis.
It was accordingly submitted that the proper procedure shall be by way of originating notice as set forth in Part 33 of the Rules of Court. After carefully considering this matter I am of the opinion that the notice of motion served by the applicants constitutes a sufficient compliance with the statutory provisions dealing with the application for an appointment of an arbitrator. If Rule 395 is applicable it would be open to the applicants to apply e^ parte to a judge and under those circumstances I am satisfied that a Supreme Court judge would direct that notice be served on the > respondents. Such a notice could quite properly take the form of a notice of motion if the court so directed. I would also observe that under Rule 410 of the Rules of Court there is no suggestion that such an application of this nature must be brought by way of originating notices. If I am in error in this disposition I would grant relief to the applicants by way of amendment so that the matter can properly be before the court. In my opinion, procedural irregularities can be readily cured under the provisions of Part 43 of the Rules of Court and I refer particularly to the philosophy of the law as enshrined in Rules 558, 559, 560 and 551 which provide as follows: • "558. Unless the court so directs non-compliance with the Rules does not render any act or proceeding
23 ft void, but the act or proceeding may be set aside either wholly or in part as irregular or amended or otherwi se dealt with.
559. An application to set aside any process or proceedings for irregularity shall be made within a reasonable time and shall not be allowed if the party applying has taken a fresh step after knowledge of the irregularity.
560. An action improperly begun by statement of claim, originating notice or petition may be treated as an irregularity and the action may be continued upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the court may impose .
561. No pleading or other proceedings shall be defeated on the ground of an alleged defect of form."
In interpreting the above Rules I adopt with respect the statement of Chief Justice Culliton in Coulthard v. Coulthard (1952) 5 W.W.R. (NS) 662 at pages 673 to 674 where learned justice • of appeal states as follows: "Consideration too must' be given to R. 551. This Rule reads as follows:
'Non-compliance with any of these rules shall not render any proceeding void unless the court shall so direct but such proceeding may be set aside either wholly or in part as irregular * * * or otherwise dealt with in such manner and upon such terms as the court may think fit.'
This Rule gives to the court almost complete discretion to relieve against any irregularity in complying with the Rules of court. In the exercise of this discretion the guiding principle must be to s e e t h a t j u s t i c e i s d o n e .
In disposing of matters of practice and procedure the court should keep in mind the statement of Armour, C.J. in Bank of Hamilton v. Baine (1888) 12 PR 439, at 442:
'Having regard to modern ideas and modern legislation in matters of practice and procedure,
\ such rules must now be applied only in the interest of and for the advancement of justice, and not in support of ancient technicality.'
- 24 ft And also the statement of Lord Eldon in Wales (Princess) v. Liverpool (Earl) (1818) 1 Swanst 114, at 125, 36 ER 320:
'There is no general rule with respect to the practice of this Court that will not yield to the demands of justice.'
The court, in relieving against an irregularity, or in exercising remedial discretion, is not bound by hard and fast rules or precedents, but may exercise its powers in the light of the facts and circumstances surrounding each particular case: Eggerson v. Smi th (1913) 5 W.W.R. 579, 6 Sask. L.R. 150, 26 W.L.R. 198; In re Price (1912) 2 W.W.R. 394, 5 Sask. L.R. 318, 21 W.L.R. 299.
My own feelings in this case are similar to those expressed by Middleton, J. in Re Arthur and Meaford (Town) (1915) 34 O.L.R. 231, at 234:
'I feel that I should sin against light and reason if I should hold that the Court had no • power to relieve against this unfortunate slip, and that I was bound to cast upon the litigant a great burden of costs and deny him a hearing on the merits because a law student forgot to file the papers on the day they were given him for that purpose . '
I n t h i s c o n n e c t i o n I a l s o r e f e r a l i a , a u t h o r i t i e s : Fenchurch E x p o r t C o r p o r a t i o n v . S i t k a Lumber Company L i m i t e d (No. 1) fTSAlJ W i l l i a m s v . Racey ( 1 9 5 2 - 5 3 ) 7 W.W.R. (NS) 4 9 6 ; p ^ m p i c S p o r t Togs L i m i t e d (No. 2) (1955) 15 W.W.R. 2 0 5 ; John Doe v . A t t o r n e " Columbia /_T97_4/ 4 W.W.R. a t page Under t he r i r c u m s t a n c e s p r e l i m i n a r y o b j e c t i o n o f t he responden ts and l e a v e i s \ cyor.Sci t o a p p l y f o r a da te f o r t he r e s u m p t i o n o f t h i s
t o the f o l l o w i n g , i n t e r Spruce 1 W.W.R. 182 a t page 186 ; F i e l d b l o o m v . (1955) 14 W.W.R. 2 6 , a f f i r m e d Genera l o f B r i t i s h - . I a c c o r d i n g l y d i s m i s s the g r a n t e d t o a p p l i c a t i o n
25 ft Learned counsel for the respondents indicated that material would
be filed and the court recognizes the fact that adequate time must be allowed for so doing. It is desirable that matters of this kind be resolved as quickly as possible and under the circumstances counsel may apply for an e^i^ly date for the hearing.
DATED at the City of Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories, this 11th day of July, A.D. 1978.
<:^'-z ( C:F. TALLIS J.S.C. ft \
• « 5 P " 10. 4407 I N THE SUPREME COURT OF THE NORTHWEST T E R R I T O R I E S I N THE MATTER OF THE A R B I T R A T I O N O R D I N A N C E ,
AND I N THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATC R E Q U I R E D PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF NORTHWEST T E R R I T O R I E S P U B L I C SERV O R D I N A N C E
B E T W E E N : THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES PUBLIC ASSOCIATION Af D THE PUBLIC ALLIAN O F CANADA APPLICANTS - and -THE COMMISSIONER OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.F.