Michael J. Hughes is a seasoned professional with considerable and varied experience in labour relations. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Alberta and a Masters in Law from the University of Toronto, and has practiced labour and employment law with two of western Canada’s leading firms, representing and advising large, sophisticated employer clients. That experience was rounded out by advocacy on behalf of employees in a role as representative/counsel for Alberta’s largest union, namely, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. 

 

 

Michael approaches labour relations with the unique and balanced perspective acquired by working for and with both management and union clients in the private and public sector, and has experience in each of the various fundamental activities that make up LR, including:

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• Acting as nominee and counsel in labour arbitration;

• Acting as lead negotiator in collective bargaining;

• Representing parties in Labour Relations Board proceedings;

• Representing parties in essential services negotiations;

• Providing proactive advice regarding labour/employment legislative compliance in complex unionized environments;

• Acting as Manager of Labour Relations for a sophisticated employer with multiple collective agreements, numerous unions and cross-provincial operations; and 

• Acting as conciliator/mediator under various collective agreements’ alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

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Michael has complemented his conflict resolution/LR skillset by completing the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Alberta’s adjudication training and holds the designation of Qualified Arbitrator. He is on the grievance arbitrator and labour mediator roster maintained by Alberta Mediation Services.

 

In his spare time, Michael has enjoyed giving back to his hometown by volunteering for the Edmonton Community Legal Centre. He also revels in the live music experience and is proud to sit on the board of directors of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival.