(Source: Employment and Social Development Canada press release, April 24, 2015)
OTTAWA — On April 20, 2015, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, appointed the Honourable George W. Adams as the mediator/arbitrator between the Canadian Pacific Railway Company and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
A work stoppage occurred on February 15 as a result of a collective bargaining dispute between the Canadian Pacific Railway Company and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference. Four collective agreements covering approximately 3,800 running trades employees at the Canadian Pacific Railway Company expired on December 31, 2014.
Minister Leitch worked with the parties, encouraging them to reach a negotiated agreement. On February 16, the parties agreed voluntarily to send their outstanding issues to a mediation/arbitration process.
Quick Facts
• The Honourable George W. Adams is a professional mediator. He established his alternative dispute resolution practice, Adams ADR, in 1997. He has been called upon to mediate or arbitrate a broad range of lawsuits, labour relations disputes and public policy issues.
• Prior to establishing his practice, the Honourable George W. Adams served as a superior court judge and held tenures as a law professor at Osgoode Hall Law School and in the faculties of law at the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa. He has also held an agency head position in the Ontario Ministry of Labour and was Partner at Campbell Godfrey and Lewtas and Fasken Campbell Godfrey.
• The Honourable George W. Adams holds a B.A. from McMaster University, an LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School.
Quote
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of the Honourable George W. Adams as mediator/arbitrator for the labour dispute between the Canadian Pacific Railway Company and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference. With his vast experience in mediation and arbitration, I am confident that he will lead the parties through the final stage of negotiations and resolve any outstanding issues to reach a fair settlement.” — The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P., Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women