The territorial government and the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU) have reached a tentative agreement for the 3,515 government workers covered by the union, it was announced today.

Details are not being released, pending ratification of the agreement by the government workers.

Details of the agreement, such as wage increases, will only be released after the ratification process is complete.

Both the union and the government have accepted the unanimous, non-binding recommendations of the Conciliation Board’s executive panel following meetings held over the Victoria Day weekend.

The workers, represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the YEU, and the government had reached a negotiations impasse on Jan. 12.

The Conciliation Board met for the first time in late April, but talks ended when the government left the table on April 29.

The union had been poised to take a strike vote in a Yukon-wide series of meetings in early June.

Those meetings will now offer members the opportunity to review the tentative deal, ask questions, and vote to ratify or reject.

The union’s bargaining team has reviewed and accepted the recommendations of the panel and will be recommending that members accept the tentative agreement.

“These negotiations were difficult, and our members had a lot at stake,” said YEU president Steve Geick.

“Our bargaining team was strong, and never lost sight of our members’ priorities. This tentative agreement is a result of member solidarity 
 and determination.”

Lorraine Rousseau, PSAC’s North Regional executive vice-president, added, “This bargaining unit refused to settle for a bad contract, and their strength has resulted in an agreement to be proud of.

“It’s a valuable reminder that together, we are stronger, and that we only keep what we are willing to fight for.”

The two parties had begun collective bargaining in November 2021 to renew the existing collective agreement, which expired on Dec. 31, 2021.

“I am pleased that we have reached a tentative agreement that recognizes the hard work of employees as well as our government’s fiscal responsibility to Yukoners,” said Premier Ranj Pillai.

“Thank you to Yukon government employees for their patience as we worked through what 
was a particularly long round of collective bargaining.

“We are grateful for the work you do for Yukoners each and every day.

“I would also like to acknowledge and thank the negotiating teams who worked so hard throughout the negotiation process.”