Employees of the Yukon Arts Centre picketed the building early Tuesday evening as management personnel worked to present a concert featuring Basia Bulat.

The workers are members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada/Yukon Employees Union (PSAC/YEU).

The PSAC served strike notice to the arts centre’s management last Friday.

On Sept. 20, the approximately 17 members voted overwhelmingly to provide the bargaining team with a strike mandate.

Negotiations have been underway since the past April, and the process has been extended twice to try to reach a positive settlement, the PSAC/YEU said Tuesday afternoon.

“Local Y021 is a small bargaining unit of workers who are professional, going above and beyond to ensure that patrons of Yukon Arts Centre, artists and performers have great experience despite all challenges,” they said.

“Small but mighty — these are the words to describe this bargaining unit of resilient workers who’re fighting for respect and fair wages.”

“Our demands are simple and clear: respect and fair wages,” said Lorraine Rousseau, the PSAC’s North regional executive vice-president.

“And we ask you, the public and ticket holders, to please stand in solidarity with the workers of Yukon Arts Centre.”

“It is unfortunate that it has come to this point,” said YEU president Steve Geick, adding it appears the centre’s management isn’t interested in resuming talks.

“The employer needs to start treating our members like the professionals that they are and show them the respect that they deserve.”

PSAC/YEU are requesting that the public and ticket holders respect the legal job action and the picket line.

“Contact the Yukon Arts Centre CEO and request a refund,” they said.

The facility’s management is not commenting publicly on the dispute.

Spence Hill, a longtime Whitehorse resident, noted Tuesday evening’s concert was almost a half-hour late starting.

“It may have been because the YAC management team was trying to ‘get the show going’ and did not know how to do it!” Hill wrote.

“All the unionized staff of the arts centre, the people who usually make sure a performance runs smoothly and on time, were outside on the picket line – the ticket takers, bartenders, sound crews and lighting techs. Their skills were missed.”

After strike notice was served, Hill wrote, “Given that many people buy their tickets online, the arts centre should have contacted patrons to alert them of the labour difficulties.

“That would have given patrons a chance to refund their tickets if they did not want to cross a picket line.”

She estimated 40 per cent of the auditorium’s seats were empty last evening – an indication of the community’s support for the workers.

“The striking workers did not hassle patrons entering the arts centre; they merely provided information on their demands.

“Inside the lobby prior to the show, free beer and soft drinks were being distributed. One of the striking workers said that beer had been donated by a local brewery to be sold as a fundraiser for YAC.

“Perhaps management decided to give away the beer because they didn’t know how to tend the bar. Or perhaps they were just trying to keep the audience happy while they figured out how to mount the performance. Too bad the brewery’s generosity did not raise any money for the arts centre.”

Once the concert finally began, Hill wrote, “It was excellent. It featured local violinist Kieran Poile playing with Bulat and her band.

“We expect good shows at the YAC … but we also expect management to treat staff with respect and settle contracts in a timely and amicable manner.”