“It was unexpected – and very much appreciated,” says Michel Picher, Law’72, of his recent appointment to membership in the Order of Canada. The distinction crowns a 40-year career as a labour arbitrator and recognizes his exceptional contributions to improving labour-management relations in several Canadian industries. 

Picher, a Harvard LLM graduate and former University of Ottawa law professor, has been Vice-Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB), President of the National Academy of Arbitrators (NAA) 2008-2009, and has arbitrated thousands of disputes in fields ranging through professional sports (NHL, CFL and MLB), police and fire services, and health care institutions. In 2009, he was awarded the prestigious Bora Laskin Award, established by the University of Toronto to honour outstanding contributions to Canadian labour law. 

Picher’s career highlights also include a 2001 appearance before the Supreme Court of Canada, where he successfully argued the Judges Case on behalf of the NAA. Notably, Picher was also chief arbitrator for the railway industry in Canada for 28 years. “I handled virtually all of the grievances for the railways and railway unions in that period,” he recalls. “It was an expedited form of arbitration in which the parties would present five cases in a day, which I enjoyed. I would provide prompt and short awards, which I also liked, as it gave the parties a quick answer to their disputes and the ability to move on.”

Picher, who retired from Picher Adjudication Services Ltd. in Ottawa on August 1, calls Queen’s Law “the foremost school in the country for labour law” and credits his former teachers for inspiring his vocation.  

“I had the good fortune of taking virtually all the labour law courses,” he recalls. He studied with Professors Don Carter, Law’66, and the late Bernie Adell and Innis Christie. Later, when Picher was teaching in Ottawa, he and his wife, fellow arbitrator Pamela (Cooper) Picher, Law’73, were asked to join the OLRB. “It was a big step up,” he recalls, “and I am forever grateful to Don Carter for opening the door to my career.”

It’s also not lost on him that when he receives his insignia at an upcoming Rideau Hall ceremony, it will be a fellow Queen’s Law grad and former professor, David Johnston, Law’66, LLD’91, presiding as Governor General.

What has he enjoyed most about the career that brings this honour? “Analyzing the issues and providing the outcome is satisfying work,” Picher says. He also liked being immersed in varied sectors. “You gain insights into these unique worlds and the people in them, and that’s enriching.” Sixty percent of his job, he adds, was writing. “I’ve always liked writing the awards.  I’ve had the particular privilege and pleasure of sharing my work with my wife, whose editorial pen has been invaluable.” His articles on labour law issues have appeared in The Canadian Labour and Employment Law Journal, Labour Arbitration Yearbook, and Canadian Bar Review.

Asked about his retirement plans, Picher mentions “a secret wish to write a novel or short stories.” Some colleagues think he’s already made that leap, he jokes, recalling the day he heard that his next arbitration case involved CBC Creative Writing. “I said, ‘Great! I’m really interested in creative writing.’ CBC’s counsel, Roy Heenan, replied, ‘I know, Mr. Chairman, I’ve read lots of your fiction!’”

Without doubt, Picher’s time at Queen’s Law and his life as a labour arbitrator would yield rich material for any future literary work. “Yes, I have had many cases and colleagues I could draw upon for background and colour,” Picher confirms with a laugh.

By Kirsteen MacLeod