A brief and clear arbitration decision by Arbitrator Colin Taylor on the rate of pay for a coal mine worker who worked on Christmas Day in December 2011 was issued on November 13, 2012. It reminds us of the importance of negotiating precise collective agreement language, and of the need to make the resolution of disputes through labour arbitration more timely. At least everyone in that bargaining unit will know what rules apply if someone workes this Christmas day.

For those interested in improving the process of labour arbitration, the Labour Law Subsection of the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association sponsored several panel discussions at their meetings this fall.