PEA Update: Interest Arbitration Grievance Article 32.10

Dear PEA members,

This is an update on the Union’s grievance under Article 32.10 of the Main Collective Agreement regarding the government lawyers’ rate of pay.

At arbitration the Union will argue that civil lawyers are underpaid in relation to their peers within the profession, in particular when compared to Crown Counsel who are paid more than their civil counterparts for performing work of a similar nature.

To date the Union and the Employer have exchanged particulars and documents, and the Union has worked with members to gather and prepare evidence on the history of how the civil lawyers have been paid and about the nature and demands of their work. The Union will continue to gather and prepare evidence on this file.

The grievance was previously scheduled for hearing on November 20 – 21 2024 and February 7, 2025, but has been re-scheduled to proceed on April 7 – 9, 11 and 14, 2025. As advised, this grievance will be heard by Arbitrator Jim Dorsey, K.C.

We appreciate the assistance that members have provided to date with preparing the PEA’s case. We will provide further updates as appropriate and will continue to reach out for input as needed.

Respectfully,

Melissa Moroz
Executive Director