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Tentative Deal Reached for Yukon’s Hospital Workers

Wednesday, 16 December 2020 14:10

The 300+ members of YEU/PSAC Local Y025 work in all areas of the hospital and perform jobs ranging from security to nursing. This bargaining period has been complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic; the process demanded agility and patience as the negotiations pivoted from in-person to virtual.

Almost a full year after talks began between the Yukon Hospital Corporation and the workers represented by the Yukon Employees’ Union and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, a tentative agreement has been achieved.

Working without a contract since August 2019, the 300+ members of YEU/PSAC Local Y025 work in all areas of the hospital and perform jobs ranging from security to nursing. This bargaining period has been complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic; the process demanded agility and patience as the negotiations pivoted from in-person to virtual.

YEU President Steve Geick applauds the strength of the Hospital Corporation’s workers. They continued to do their best work in the face of a difficult round of bargaining, a heavy workload, and the challenges of protecting the health of Yukoners during a global pandemic. “We know workers have been through a lot, and the uncertainty of working this long without a contract has added to their stress. We hope this three-year contract allows time for the employer to implement some promised improvements to workplace safety and staffing levels.”

PSAC Regional Executive Vice President North Jack Bourassa adds “Yukon’s hospital workers put themselves in harm’s way for the communities they serve every day. The bargaining team has worked hard to secure a strong contract that helps build a respectful and safe work environment, and I want to commend their work on behalf of the membership.”

Virtual meetings will be scheduled soon to allow Local Y025’s membership to review the proposed deal and vote on contract ratification.

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