2014

The BCIRA includes professionals and academics in industrial relations in British Columbia.

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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

1. The focus of the evening is to explore the challenges and opportunities facing the contemporary labour movement in British Columbia:
2. The value of Unions to workers in BC. What was it in the past, and what is it now?
3. Are there opportunities for Unions to find new meaning and a new voice?
4. What are the challenges facing Unions? Have they served their purpose? What more can they do or become?
5. Are there meaningful shifts that traditional Union can take to be contemporary and relevant?
6. Seniority, job security, and service based vacation entitlement provisions in Collective Agreements.
7. Are these attractive or meaningful to younger workers who may change jobs more frequently than workers in previous generations?
8. Does Globalization demand of Unions to adopt new strategies, tactics, and organizational changes?

Our Panelists addressing this topic will be:

JITESH MISTRY, Vice-Chair BCLRB Jitesh Mistry was appointed as a Vice-Chair of Labour Relations Board on January 1, 2013. As Vice-Chair, Mr. Mistry adjudicates such matters as the acquisition and termination of bargaining rights, unfair labour practices, issues with respect to strikes and picketing, and appeals of collective agreement arbitration awards. Prior to his appointment to the Board, Jitesh practiced labour and employment law at two established firms, Victory Square Law Office LLP and Black Gropper. At both firms, Mr. Mistry represented and advised clients in collective agreement arbitrations, Labour Relations Board applications, human rights tribunal hearings, as well all levels of Court. Mr. Mistry also practiced employment law in the non-unionized workforce representing both employees and employers in non-union wrongful dismissal and human rights proceedings. Jitesh holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from Simon Fraser University and a Law degree from the University of British Columbia. Active in his community, Mr. Mistry most recently served as the Co-Chair, and an Executive Member of the Canadian Bar Association (BC) Labour Law Section, and previously as a Labour Law Practice Advisor to the South Asian Bar Association of BC and member of the University of British Columbia Senate.

LAYNE CLARK, Young Worker Program Coordinator, BC Federation of Labour Layne joined the BC Federation of Labour in August 2013 and coordinates a province-wide program (Alive after Five) on Occupational Health and Safety for young and new workers. The program has reached over 20,000 students in the past year. She also facilitates OH&S workshops and training and manages over thirty facilitators across BC. Layne has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies from SFU and New York University.

BRIAN LEFEBVRE, Director of Organizing, IUOE, Local 115 Brian joined the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115 as a staff member in 1999 at their Thompson Okanagan office, then moved on to the East/West Kootenays office in 2005 and is currently based out of their Burnaby office. During Brian’s 16-year career with Local 115, he has been involved with Collective Bargaining, Grievance Handling, Mediations, Arbitrations and Top-Down and Bottom-Up Organizing. He currently holds the titles of Recording Corresponding Secretary and Director of Organizing, as well as being a Trustee of the IUOE Local 115 Pension and Benefits Plans. Prior to Local 115, Brian worked as a Mechanic at Trimac Transportation. He earned his certification as a Red Seal Commercial Transport Mechanic during that time.

MELANIE VIPOND (Moderator) Lawyer and Associate at Gall, Legge, Grant and Munroe LLP Melanie Vipond focuses her practice on labour and employment law, human rights, occupational health & safety, privacy and administrative law. She has appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as the BC Labour Relations Board, arbitration boards, human rights tribunals, and other administrative tribunals. Melanie is an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of British Columbia (UBC) and teaches in the areas of labour, employment, human rights and privacy law to Law and MBA students. Melanie completed her Master in the Science of Law at Stanford University in 2010. Her thesis, entitled “First Contract Arbitration: Evidence from British Columbia, Canada of the Significance of Mediator’s Non-Binding Recommendations”, was published in the Fall 2011 edition of the American Labor Law Journal.

VENUE: This meeting will be at Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites, 1763 Comox St. A no host bar opens at 5:30pm with dinner at 6:30pm. Advance reservation deadline: NOVEMBER 12, 2014 as we ONLY arrange seating/dinner for advance reservations. Admission without a reservation will not be guaranteed and is more expensive.