Labour Relations Seminar Day 1

 

OAFC Update 

The OAFC President will provide a brief update on behalf of the OAFC Board of Directors. The update will introduce the 2025 Board of Directors, include a status update on government relations initiatives, discuss 2025 priorities and review and update important member initiatives.

 

Presented By: OAFC President

 

 

Keynote - Change is Your Proof of Life

Did you know you are SIX times more likely to demonstrate strong resilience in the middle of a life-changing event if you can identify your autonomy and choices within that change?

My unique perspective and experiences will empower you to discover your 'WHY' as you collaborate with change. Change is an inevitable part of life. Whether the change is something you have chosen or if the change has chosen you, the one thing you ALWAYS have is a CHOICE. Through sharing the dramatic story of my rescue by SEAL Team VI after being held hostage by Somali Pirates, I will show you how to become a collaborator with change and create the strategies you need to survive and thrive no matter what life has place in your path and launch you into a space of abundant growth and success.

 

Presented By: Jessica Buchanan

Jessica Buchanan is a Teacher, Author, Humanitarian, Speaker, Founder, and Survivor.

In her NYT Bestselling memoir Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six, Jessica details her experience as she was abducted at gunpoint and held for ransom by a group of Somali pirates for 93 days. Forced to live outdoors in deplorable conditions, starved, and terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters, Jessica’s health steadily deteriorated until, by order of President Obama, she was rescued by the elite SEAL Team VI on January 25, 2012.

Jessica is now a highly sought-after inspirational speaker, TEDx Speaker, and is also the founder of Soul Speak Press. Her second book is an anthology titled “Deserts to Mountaintops: Our Collective Journey to (re)Claiming Our Voice.” She is married to a native Swede, has two children, and now resides in the DC Metro area.

 

Equitable Recruitment and Hiring - Are You Prepared?

Are your recruitment processes equitable? What about your stations and other facilities? During this session, we will:

• Explain the legal framework of equitable recruitment and hiring,
• Explain how to make use of special program provisions under the Human Rights Code in recruitment and hiring,
• Provide practical tips on how to create recruitment and hiring process that centre equity and increase representation of historically underrepresented groups.

 

Presented By: The Hicks Morley Team

 

Staffing Clauses in Fire Services

Staffing in fire services is becoming more complex. Council sets service levels, the Association has expectations and budget pressures continue to add to the challenge.

This session will explore recent legal developments around staffing, how to understand the asks, take the best approach and defend against areas within the employer's control. Following that, we will have a brief discussion around the rights of chiefs under FPPA.

 

Presented By: The Hicks Morley Team

 

The View From the Other Side of the Bargaining Table

How does your Association think? How much do politics drive their decision making? How do they balance national, provincial and local agendas?

These questions and more will be answered as we provide you with a point-of-view from the other side of the bargaining table. 

 

Presented By: The Hicks Morley Team

 

To be announced

Presentation summary coming soon.

 

 

Bargaining Trends 

Bargaining is all about strategy and information. As more workforces become unionized, public-sector unions have started to engage in more pattern bargaining than ever before. With inflation rates remaining high, information sharing and strategic thinking are all the more important to achieving successful bargaining outcomes.

Covering topics such as the latest settlements in the fire sector, the recent trends and potential risks, you will leave armed with the information you need to know to be prepared for your upcoming round of bargaining.

 

Presented By: The Hicks Morley Team