Mediation Services assists labour and management to resolve disputes in collective bargaining negotiations.  Mediation is required by legislation prior to the parties being legally permitted to strike or lockout.

Mediation Services seeks to promote positive labour and management relations throughout Alberta.

Who Is Mediation Services For?

Mediation Services are available to unions, employers who have a bargaining relationship with a union or employee association, and the arbitration community.

What Does Mediation Services Do?

Mediation

Either side in a collective bargaining process can request a mediator.  The request is reviewed to ensure the criteria are met for the appointment of a mediator.

A mediator is then appointed from the Designated Mediator Roster, usually within three business days.

Once an appointment is made, the mediator arranges meetings with the parties to deal with the issues in dispute.  The mediator works with the parties to find resolution in order to reach a collective agreement.  If agreement cannot be reached, the parties may proceed to further actions permitted under the Labour Code.

The first two days of the mediator's services and expenses are provided at no cost to the parties.  For the third and subsequent days, fees and expenses of the mediator are shared equally by the parties.

Grievance Arbitration

Grievance arbitration is used when employees and employers disagree over interpretation of a provision in a collective agreement, or if there is an allegation by one party that the other has violated the terms of the agreement.  In this process, an impartial arbitrator renders a decision that is binding on both parties.

When parties involved in a grievance cannot agree on a chairperson or a single arbitrator, or when they fail to appoint a nominee, Mediation Services appoints arbitrators from a selected Arbitration Roster.  Costs associated with the grievance arbitration process are shared equally by the parties.