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Brenda Kuzio
Industrial Relations- Academic Expert and Marker
Brenda and her office assistant, Scousa
Graduated from the University of Alberta – B.A. (Special), LLB.
It is funny how events in life influence the path you take when you least expect it! In 1979, while I was a first year law student, I got a summer job as a jail guard with the provincial government of Alberta. Three weeks after I commenced my employment, I found myself on an picket line along with the rest of my bargaining unit, fighting to make much needed gains in bargaining. Through that personal experience, I learned about unions, negotiations and labour relations. Until this labour confrontation, I thought I wanted to be a criminal lawyer but instead, I have since been practicing law in the area of labour.
I have extensive experience in the field of Labour Relations and Labour Law. I have been involved from both sides of the table, as a manager who negotiated with unions and as a union member who negotiated with managers. For the last 20 years I have worked in the area of labour law, first with a large labour organization as director of legal services (while maintaining a small private labour law practice on the side at the same time) and then as a busy sole practitioner. My practice involves acting as legal counsel and serving as nominee on boards. I present cases at arbitration, court, various tribunals including but not limited to, Human Rights Commission and Labour Relations Board. I have done a fair amount of work in the area of Health and a Safety, WCB, and Sexual and Workplace Harrassment.
In October of 2000, in addition to my fulltime practice as a lawyer, I became an employee of Athabasca University, teaching three Industrial Relations courses – IDRL 304 (Grievance Arbitration); IDRL 305 (Collective Bargaining); and IDRL 320 (Labour Relations and the Law). I feel that it is important to break down barriers in labour relations through education - teach students who will be working in the area of labour relations that there is nothing to fear- respect each other and make the workplace better for all. My work with Athabasca University has had many rewards, the greatest of which is when a student says at the end of a course, “Now I understand the relationship between unions and employers”. Education is a two-way street – the students’ ideas keep me current while I am hopeful that they broaden their educational experience from what I have to offer to them.
In my spare time (Hah!) I enjoy golfing and traveling with my husband (who is also my best friend), Larry. I also enjoy spending time with my office assistant, Scousa. She is loyal and not too demanding but she has done some hard negotiating- Whiskas cat food, a warm bed and lots of hugs!
Enjoying a nice spring day
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