YEU NEWSLETTER MAY 2023 DRAFT_YEU Newsletter 2023-05-05 9:48 AM Page 2
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Yukon Employees’ Union Yukon Employees’ Union 201-2285 2nd Avenue 201-2285 2nd Avenue Whitehorse Yukon Whitehorse Yukon Y1A 1C9 Y1A 1C9
Yukon Employees’ Union Fall 2022 May 2023
NEWS
YG Bargaining Bulletin - Strike Vote Ready When will I get more detailed information?
community health centres and more. This could affect fewer than five hundred people or it could impact greater than a thousand members – we just don’t know. Changes could come as soon as a few months from now or could take a year or more to begin. Again, we just don’t know.
At the membership strike vote meetings, we will discuss all outstanding issues in greater detail. Members will be provided with an information kit prior to conducting the vote. Meeting dates and locations are listed in this newsletter.
We are fighting to protect your benefits, pensions, and working conditions. We’re fighting for everyone who will be transferred to the health authority, and we are fighting for members’ right to choose whether they stay or go. We are also fighting to keep provisions intact for members who will or choose to remain employed by the Yukon government following a devolution.
The next stage in the Conciliation process requires that both sides submit written briefs to the Board Chair. We will provide members with more detailed information about the employer position after the May 12 submission of briefs.
What is the Union’s Wage Proposal?
Our last proposal for general economic increases remains 4.5%, 3%, 3%. Our position has not changed since we presented this just before Easter in April of 2022. We have heard people say “YG must have agreed to an increase to meet inflation”. They have not; in fact It’s the exact opposite. As everyone knows, inflation has spiked dramatically since we submitted our proposal in April 22. Apparently, we were asking for too much and the Employer team walked away from Conciliation talks.
"We are fighting for Respect!"
"Respect not asking your employees, no team. matterThe YG’s offermeans is unacceptable to the bargaining how many years they've down been with company,that to go Employer is doubling by the proposing going forward, severance will rate. also Respect be frozen. Thisvaluing will result back to the starting wage means our in a further 1.9%We reduction in yourwho totalhave compensation years of service. have members been here for 10 plus years. Respect means giving value to their loy-
We hope ourwork." presentation to the Conciliation Board alty and hard Respect and fair wages were the results in some creative recommendations to help issues that mattered most to the members of YEU/PSACus reach agreement government. The Board Local Y021 when thewith smallthe Local took strike action cannot force a settlement, but their recommendations Tuesday October 11. and the recent Treasury Board settlement may help guide the way to an acceptable path to settlement. We Thisnot “small butthe mighty” unit of thatthe had never been on strike will know content Board’s recommendajumped in with both feet, picketing in front of the Yukon tions until at least the end of May. Arts Centre for the sold-out Basia Bulat performance.
What’s the big deal with Wellness Yukon?
Although they were nervous, striking members were elated The government plans to offload government services to hear patrons say they wouldauthority. not cross the and to an arm’s-length health Thislinedevolution watch them walk away. In fact, many attendees refused to could mean the migration of entire departments and will most likely include the devolution of staff from all health and social services branches, Yukon hospitals,
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Creating a new health authority will not be the quick fix that changes the trend of understaffing and overwork. A new health authority is not a magic bullet that will miraculously result in better services or ensure more successful outcomes. We are working to build in protections for members before the transfer; we don’t intend to wait until after the damage is done.
cross the picket line, while others crossed just long enough go strike in and speak Are wetoon now?with the CEO Casey, and leave. chose to cross the picket line bargaining took our No, weMany are who not on strike. Members of our Fair Wage stickers worecommunities, them as a show of support as team will visit all and Yukon health centres they entered Arts Centre. and highwaythecamps in late May and early June to
answer member questions, review the Board’s report, Both take PSAC YEU leadership and a North strikeand vote. Members willLorraine decide Rousseau, if we take strike action.and Visit dates and meeting are listed Steve Geick Justin Lemphers were in times attendance to in this newsletter. show their support as was YFL President Ron Rousseau. The members appreciated the support from leadership for
Am I animportant essential this very first action but more importantly, the services worker? solidarity from the public boosted their resolve.
Read Vice President Justin Lemphers’ newsletAnxious members put up a picket line at 6pm; empowered ter article; he explains and confident members ended how those decisions are their evening's efforts with a chant, and a loud whoohoo made and communicated. shortly after 9pm. Their solidarity helped secure a tentative deal only days For more information, after the job action. Congratulations to Local Y021! scan the code here or visit
https://bit.ly/ygbarg22