Thursday, October 25, 2007
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT
Playback: Tuesday, October 30, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT

Anne Gregory

Union Counsel
Canadian Union of Public Employees

Roy Stuart

Employer Representative
Hewitt & Associates

Murray Campbell

Plan Counsel
Lawson Lundell

Susan Philpott

Union Counsel
Koskie Minsky LLP

ISSUES:

Canadian workers are on average older than ever before, a fact that is transforming the fundamental priorities in both unionized and non-unionized workplaces. And in the wake of legislative abolition of mandatory retirement in several Canadian jurisdictions in recent years, the rules of the game have changed. In this special session, Lancaster's panel of experts explores the latest legislative developments and court, arbitration and tribunal decisions concerning pensions and retirement benefits. Topics will include:

• Update on pension class actions: What do the latest decisions say?

• Defined benefit plans versus defined contribution plans: What's the story? In what circumstances can employers make changes to an existing pension plan? Can employers unilaterally change pension plans from defined benefit to defined contribution? What is the significance of plan indexing? How are these options being treated at the bargaining table and in interest arbitrations?

• Mandatory retirement: What effect will legislative changes have on existing retirement policies, collective agreement provisions, and performance evaluation practices?

• Post-retirement benefits: Can employers reduce non-pension benefits provided to retired workers? Can unions grieve pension and benefit matters on behalf of retired bargaining unit members? Are age-based differences in pension and employee benefit coverage still permissible?

• Early, phased and deferred retirement: In what circumstances are employers granting employees’ requests for early, phased and deferred retirement? Must employees give up seniority and related collective agreement rights if they opt for phased retirement? Can employers unilaterally offer workers voluntary retirement packages, or must these be negotiated with the union?

$195, plus GST (Registrations must be paid in advance of the audio conference). Registration costs are per listening site/telephone, so you can have any number of people listening at your location for one low price. Click here for registration information.