Gabor Lukacs and the University of Manitoba reach settlement

Dr. Gabor Lukacs*

The Gabor Lukacs affair has ended with a confidential settlement between Dr. Lukacs and the University of Manitoba. A joint statement released on November 10, 2011 announced "The University has rescinded all disciplinary actions against Professor Lukacs (including reprimand, suspension and denial of increment). All outstanding legal proceedings between the parties are terminated. The parties have also agreed that it is to their mutual benefit to end the employment relationship." Having negotiated these sorts of agreements before they often come with large monetary payments for the party leaving their employment.

It would have been fascinating to see the final arbitration award given the intersection of the privacy, human rights and labour law present in this case; I'm of the opinion that this case would have broke new ground in labour law. The vast majority of workplace law disputes end in a settlement agreement long before a final determination is reached and it shows how differences of opinion can quickly spin out of control. I covered this case as I felt that it stood as a cautionary tale of what young workers experience in today's workplaces. Dr. Lukacs was lucky that beyond his own wiles he had the backing of a strong Union that had the resources to contest the disciplinary measures that were imposed. Most young people don't enjoy the same level of protection in the workplace and without having independent financial resources many aren't able to hire legal counsel to challenge their employer in the Courts.

For my previous thoughts on this case check out my article in the CBA's Labour and Employment Perspective and previous blog posts here, here and here.


(*Photo of Dr. Gabor Lukacs credited to Leif Larsen.)