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Arbitration is key to conflict resolution in Ontario labour issues By Chelsea Liu Grade 12, Abbey Park H.S. 11 | Friday, March 8, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com B ill 115 has been repealed, and after a period of relative inactivity, discussions have resumed between the government and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF). It seems as if the winter hibernation is slowly coming to an end. Recently, OSSTF President Ken Coran stated he is "cautiously optimistic" after meeting with the newly appointed Minister of Education Liz Sandal. But we are wondering -- is "cautiously optimistic" just a euphemism for "no progress, but no steps taken backward"? This time, when the government and the OSSTF resume bargaining, some students are ready to make their own proposition -- one that will change the way all future conflicts are managed. The Organization of Ontario Secondary Students has recently launched a new campaign, Operation SOS -- a fitting acronym for Operation Save Our Schools. We propose an initiative that has been successfully implemented in many other provinces: arbitration. The definition of arbitration is, "the process by which the parties to a dispute submit their differences to the judgment of an impartial person or group appointed by mutual consent or statutory provision." This process dates back to ancient civilizations, where an individual known and trusted by two feuding parties was chosen to resolve the dispute. In modern-day arbitration, however, an impartial and disinterested individual is selected to be the arbiter. This individual bounds the two par- ties to his or her resolution and is able to determine the "award." In other words, the arbiter is a neutral party appointed to resolve a deadlocked conflict. In the 1950s, teachers in Manitoba voluntarily gave up the right to strike but in turn gained binding arbitration, due process and a provincial certification board. Wage cuts and freezes as well as indiscriminate firings are no longer regularly occurring problems. see `A stepping on p.13 NOW OPEN! European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" We specialize in everything gluten free from groceries to specialty baked goods to health & beauty to in-store educational seminars living gluten free made easy... 905.849.0266 74 Rebecca St Unit 1 ­ Kerr/Rebecca, 289-837-4363 Mon - Wed, Fri 10am-5pm | Thurs 10am-7pm | Sat 9am-5pm THEY BRING YOU THE NEWS ON TIME ALL THE TIME And they do it with a smile, regardless of the weather. Vote for the 2012 Celebrate Spring Early at Interior Design House Sale 20% For a limited time, enjoy at least on all product in our Oakville & Burlington showrooms savings Carrier of the Year TO NOMINATE YOUR CARRIER T CALL CIRCULATION AT: OR EMAIL YOUR VOTE TO TO: tdaly@oakvillebeaver.com www.interiordesignhouse.com Keep in touch 905-631-6095 BURLINGTON · 905.634.3439 4047 Fairview Street OAKVILLE · 905.339.3439 500 Speers Road