In March 2020, Humber River Hospital ("the Hospital"), a major acute care hospital in Toronto, introduced a policy restricting visitor access to the hospital based on Ministry of Health directives meant to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The policy did not make any reference to union representatives and instead focused on patient visitors, limiting access to only a small group of visitors.
The National Organized Workers’ Union grieved this decision, claiming that it was an infringement on their right to represent their members. Fasken successfully defended the Hospital’s policy as the arbitrator determined it was reasonable to limit visitors from outside of the workplace during the pandemic.
Fasken represented the Hospital with a team comprised of Erin Porter and Maria-Cristina Cavicchia.
Jurisdiction
- Ontario
