Campaign aims to improve COVID leave provisions
The Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU) is launching a new advocacy campaign to encourage more lenient leave-time policies and practices for all workers, unionized or not.
The Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU) is launching a new advocacy campaign to encourage more lenient leave-time policies and practices for all workers, unionized or not.
Fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is seriously affecting workers and their families across the Yukon, the YEU said earlier this month.
Many are struggling with financial and emotional stress, supporting and caring for others while working, and trying to manage their own health concerns all at the same time.
“During this pandemic, paid leave offered by employers is an absolute lifeline,” said YEU president Steve Geick.
“But many workers are left out in the cold with little or no support.
“Every day, we’re hearing of situations where workers are finding themselves financially indebted to their employers, having no sick time, no special leave time available,” Geick added.
“These are our fellow Yukoners – our friends and neighbours – and they need our help to get through this crisis.”
Called #TimeOutYukon, the campaign will use social media channels to draw attention to the issues and motivate change.
“These are stressful times,” said Geick.
“Financial and mental health concerns for workers are paramount. Some Yukon employers are finding innovative ways to provide real support and flexibility for their workers – making sure they’re safe and supported while keeping the wheels of the economy turning.
“Our goal is to engage a lot more people in this conversation, and fast,” he says. “Time is of the essence.”
Workers and employers are encouraged to reach out and share their related stories using the hashtag #TimeOutYukon.
Comments (12)
Up 0 Down 0
Lynx on Jan 4, 2021 at 7:59 pm
@public
I would be surprised if any of them from any political party in the Yukon have been travelling honestly. The worst offenders across the country so far have been Alberta Conservatives.
Up 10 Down 0
public on Jan 4, 2021 at 10:13 am
Can someone please look into MLA leave provisions and see how many of our elected public servants snuck out of the territory for Christmas while the rest of us gave up holidays and family gatherings??
Up 10 Down 3
Mitch on Jan 3, 2021 at 3:47 am
@My Opinion
A lot of government workers that are relied upon for services (social services, justice, health) do not have sick days or any benefits at all, but still pay union dues.
These employees are often left covering for employees that are staying home using their paid sick days.
Up 12 Down 1
Snowman on Dec 31, 2020 at 4:54 pm
Hard to take the union seriously when its president spends his day trolling the social mdeia pages of businesses and governments. Imagine the head of any professional organization doing such a thing. Ridiculous.
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TMYK on Dec 31, 2020 at 9:39 am
The people who could actually use the unions help are the ones routinely ignored by Steve Geick and his union. There is no reason why we shouldn't have the highest minimum wage in Canada. There is no reason for all the big box stores and businesses in town to take advantage of the Foreign Worker Program.
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Jim on Dec 30, 2020 at 7:21 pm
YEU is so far out of touch with the real world. They should stick to representing YTG. At least with them, they can get all the perks the private sector could only dream of as the whole government workforce does not have to show a value for money spent. We still have over 1/2 the government “working” from home even if the departments are non-functional. Rather than being thankful that some people actually have jobs to go to, they would sooner people stay home. News flash YEU, our economy cannot sustain itself as is let alone with all these perks that are on their wish list. Stay out of the private sector.
Up 6 Down 1
No Joyful Union Here on Dec 30, 2020 at 4:23 pm
It certainly is no secret that in the relationship between the YEU and YG, you, as the member, are the cuckold to be dominated and humiliated in the perversions they call process. It won’t be much longer until the YEU/YG leave provisions will be little more than, if don’t like it, LEAVE, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out!
YEU - Yukonners Everywhere are Underserved.
Up 18 Down 1
Tommy D on Dec 30, 2020 at 12:27 pm
@ Groucho d'North
YEU has long been out of touch with it's membership. Ask them the number of members who have voted on past Collective Agreements....they WON'T tell you. It's a small circle of self serving individuals making these decisions about as transparent as a lead lined bomb shelter circa 1955.
I can tell you this, my annual increase has NEVER been bigger than my annual 'payment' to YEU. Think about that for a second.
Annual negotiated increases haven't even kept pace with the cost of living for almost 2 decades!
Don't get me wrong. There was/is a time an a place for unions and collective bargaining but the current set up is well beyond broken. I've seen droves of great workers/people siphoned off to NGOs, FN corporations and administrations and various elements of the private sector.
Tommy Douglas would be rolling in his grave.
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Groucho d'North on Dec 30, 2020 at 10:24 am
This is the same union that agreed to place a cap on accumulated sick leave for YG employees during negociations a contract or two back. This was done without consultation with the brotherhood. I heard that a number of YGEU employees also wanted the ability to transfer some of their earned leave to other employees who may have children or parents who require some form of medical or personal attention, but have exhausted their leave time available. The union did not follow up with this request. This union needs to work better to serve its membership and not blindly follow the advise and direction of the mandarins in the east.
Up 26 Down 3
JC on Dec 29, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Come on Geick, there is only so much money in the kitty. You socialists somehow think money grows on trees. Government workers especially haven't suffered at all throughout this time. They have all been kept working, whether on the job or working at home. Let's give pity to those small business people who had to shut down with no income and those that lost their businesses. In times like this, everyone should suck up the losses, especially government workers. So, Geick, how much money did you lose throughout the plandemic?
Up 55 Down 3
My Opinion on Dec 29, 2020 at 2:52 pm
These Union and Government workers live in a Dream World. Private Businesses do not have the privilege of huge overstaffing to accommodate MIA employees. If one person leaves they were likely the only person that does that job in the business, there is no one else to do it.
You say these people need more time off because of financial hardship. If the employer goes broke they will have loads of time off, and ZERO income. Private enterprise does not just re-allocate funds or apply for more funding. When the cupboard is bare, it is over.
Up 56 Down 6
KC on Dec 29, 2020 at 11:46 am
Paid leave is a double edged sword. Absenteeism is a hardship not only for employers but for the co-workers who have to cover for employees who are away. And guaranteed leave policies are routinely abused. Lots of people seem to be mysteriously "sick" the day before a long weekend.
Yes employers should accommodate employees where they can -- especially during COVID times -- but let's not pretend there aren't two sides to this equation and try to understand why employers are hesitant to implement policies that are vulnerable to abuse.