Labour Relations Officer - Litigator

The Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) is Canadas largest nurses union. We are powered by our members 68000 nurses and health-care professionals and 18000 nursing student affiliates who provide care in hospitals long-term care public health the community clinics and industry.

Our mission is to defend the rights of and advocate for nurses and health-care professionals who care for the health of Ontarians. We empower members and fight against unfair and unsafe treatment negotiate and enforce our contracts offer benefits and insurance provide tailored education and development opportunities and much more. We confront governments administrations and other policymakers head on to fight for high-quality public health care.

ONA is seeking to hire a Litigator to join our Litigation Team Toronto office. As a member of the Litigation Team and working within the boundaries of ONAs governing and administrative policies the vision and strategic outcomes the successful candidate will provide litigation services to meet the service delivery needs of ONA and its membership.

• The Litigator is accountable for the functions of the Litigation Team mandate which involves contract administration achieving ONAs position maintaining the collective and individual rights of members and providing strategic advice in relation to contract interpretation and related areas of practice.
• The Litigator primarily represents ONA and members at rights arbitrations.
  Accountable for providing advice in relation to other related areas of practice including human rights/return to work/accommodation occupational health & safety and proceedings before the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) under the Labour Relations Act Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act and/or the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act.
• Accountable for providing service to ONA including staff bargaining units and members in a manner that is consistent with ONA strategic outcomes and member values keeping the interests of membership as the primary focus of work.
• Accountable for identifying risks and opportunities related to ONA achieving its goals/mandate including litigation strategies
• Accountable for actively participating as a team member to ensure that organizational accountabilities of the litigation team are met.
• Accountable for making observable contributions to the success of other team members and to the overall performance of the team including meeting team targets.
• Accountable for completing timely quality work and for ensuring cases are properly prepared within an appropriate time frame in advance of the hearing.
• Accountable for consulting with the Manager Litigation and/or our Senior Legal Counsel to ensure ONA and members rights are protected as needed but is also able to act independently in working out and solving issues that arise in her/his work.
• Accountable for providing written reports to Management on areas of activity as required including daily report and notification of significant cases including those with provincial implications.
• Accountable to demonstrate solid client relations and communication skills and sound professional judgment.
• Accountable to act as a leader and mentor and makes contributions toward the overall improvement of the litigation team and the litigation of cases including work processes.
• Accountable to participate on education to staff and membership where requested.

• A LL.B/Juris Doctor (J.D.) is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience including demonstrated knowledge in representation of Trade Unions at arbitration and/or related practice areas including human rights/accommodation occupational health & safety and proceedings before the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) under the Labour Relations Act Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act and/or the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act (or equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered).
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in labour relations/industrial relations
• Certificate of training in alternative dispute resolution/mediation and/or oral advocacy is an asset.
• Excellent client relations interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated advocacy and presentation skills.
• Being a Registered Nurse is an asset.
• Education or training in alternative dispute resolution/mediation and/or oral advocacy is an asset.
• Excellent client relations communication and advocacy skills.
• Ability to speak other languages is considered an asset.