Item - 2021.GL25.18

The General Government and Licensing Committee received the report (August 31, 2021) from the Chief People Officer for information.

This report provides a summary and analysis of grievance and arbitration activity for the twelve months of January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.

At the end of 2020, the number of open grievances was 1,991, a 20 percent increase compared to 1,659 in 2019. When compared to the 2009 peak of 3,405 (following a six-week labour disruption), the open grievances in 2020 were still 42 percent lower. Both the number of new grievances and the number of resolved grievances showed a decline in 2020 with the rate of decrease in resolved cases higher than that of the new cases, which resulted in a net increase in open grievances.

The total number of open grievances grew in 2020 primarily due to cancellations of grievance meetings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, it was agreed by the parties (the City and Unions) to only address matters that were time-sensitive while the City focused on response and recovery efforts.