Archived - Work stoppages in the federal private sector : innovative solutions

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank Hassan Yussuff , Secretary Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress and Don Brazier, Executive Director of Federally Regulated Employers - Transportation and Communications (FETCO) for their assistance and support in the consultation process that formed an important part of this study. I also wish to acknowledge the contribution of the many union representatives and employer human resource officers who graciously and generously contributed their time and wisdom to this study in the many interviews and conversations they endured with me.

Michael McDermott 's assistance needs to be acknowledged. Besides chairing the round table on consensus options with the stakeholders, "Mike" was always available to provide guidance and make helpful suggestions throughout the study, including directing me to key persons who played an important role in the study. First and foremost among them is Gordon Clark who came out of retirement to take on the central organizational role of the study. In addition to acting as the focal point for communications and administration of the study, he was substantively involved in almost every aspect of it, including helping with the drafting and editing of portions of the study, besides being a constant pleasure to work with.

I thank the staff assigned to or hired for the project: Bridget Oliveira for her research efforts and work on the tables and charts, Mateusz Trybowski for his administrative support, Francine Prévost for her research work, Devan Corrigan for his industrial relations connections and accompaniment during the consultation process and my assistant Amina Ismael for fronting me in the usual bureaucratic travails one faces in these projects. In addition, Mr. Trybowski should be singled out for his extra efforts which included research, editing and drafting portions of the report, besides making sure that deadlines were met. I also thank Helen Beck, a lawyer with Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC), who provided timely legal advice on a number of issues that I raised with her.

My gratitude extends to Scott Streiner, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Labour Program, for his advice, support and encouragement of the study, to Elizabeth MacPherson, who provided much valuable insight while wearing two hats as past Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and the current Chair of the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), and to the many staff of the FMCS, including in particular Paul Macdonell, Jacques Lessard, Sheri King, Don Clarke and Julie Garneau who also provided valuable information or helped me find it.

A special word of thanks must be given to Mokhtar Souissi, Director of Research and Data Development, and to his Director General, Anthony Giles, Strategic Policy, Analysis and Workplace, Labour Policy, HRSDC for permitting Mr. Souissi and his staff to provide extensive research and data analysis support which were key elements of the study. In particular, their research supported elements of the commentary and analysis in sections on person days not worked, causes of work stoppages, predicting works stoppages, economic impacts of work stoppages and the differing interest arbitration options, such as final offer selection. I also wish to acknowledge Mr. Souissi 's valuable personal advice and comment on much of the study which far exceeded expectations.

My thanks, as well, to Ian Sadinsky for his usual superb efforts in conducting a final edit of the report and to Kim Lutes for her editorial assistance.

Last but not least, my love and appreciation to Susan, my spouse, for her support and patience, as well as being a true expert on improving relationships, which lessons learned, I have made central to this report.

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Date Modified:
2012-01-13