Sometimes you just know when it’s time to go.

So says Steve Geick, the long-serving president of the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU).

First elected as president in 2011, Geick has chosen this autumn as his time to say goodbye to the YEU and the Yukon.

Geick spoke to the Star last month about his upcoming ride into the sunset.

“I am retiring. I believe my last day of work is Nov. 10, but that could change depending on our convention process (see story, this page). If they need me, I’ll stay,” he said.

“It’s just time. I turned 65 in May, and that marked 25 years with the Yukon government,” Geick said.

“And my partner retired in February, so we want to enjoy some time together. I’m going to keep myself busy, just differently.

“I’m going to miss the Yukon tremendously, and I’m going to miss the work as well.”

He explained he’s been in the Yukon since 1998 or so when he arrived in the territory to further his newest career as a nurse.

“I’ve changed careers many times,” he said. “I decided I was going to go into nursing and did a three-year program and then I immediately started nursing in Fort Albany.”

Geick said he had spent the initial stages of his medical life serving in various places in northern Ontario.

While that might seem superficially similar to living and working in the Yukon – or any of the territories, for that matter – he said it was a totally different environment.

“It’s whole different world.”

Conditions were much worse there than what he found in the Yukon, Geick said.

His first post in the Yukon was in Ross River, one of the territory’s more outlying communities.

“It was like a vacation compared to northern Ontario,” he said. “It’s a whole different landscape out here. It’s very, very interesting.”

Communities such as Attawa-piskat receive far less attention, resources and support from the province than is the case for roughly comparable communities in the Yukon, Geick said.

“There’s no comparison,” he added.

He grew up further south in Sudbury, Ont., where his brothers worked in the world-famous nickel mining industry.

That was his introduction to the world of unions, as he watched them fight for better treatment for workers.

“What impressed me was how hard they had to fight for worker safety and wages,” he said. “I didn’t understand why it was so difficult.”

Geick said he became more involved in union matters once he arrived in the Yukon.

He said he came to the territory for a six-month contract ... and Yukoners know the rest of how that story goes.

Years later, he was president of the YEU, and he’s been firmly seated in the hot seat ever since.

One of his more memorable accomplishments is building up the importance of community locals in the territory.

He was working on that initiative before becoming president.

Now there are guaranteed spots at the conventions for community voices.

“But I think the greatest thing I appreciate is the people, whether the membership or the staff or whatever. Not all of those memories are good, but they’re all things I remembered.”

He added he was grateful for all the ideas union members have brought forward.

“It’s not me,” Geick said. “I have ideas but many were brought forward by other people.

“Without the membership, with-out the staff, it wouldn’t have been possible.”

He added, “We still have a of work to do. In October at the convention, there are many resolutions coming forward to improve our visibility to the community.”

The YEU staff has grown considerably since his early days as president. There’s now approximately 15 staff.

“And they are all busy,” he said.

Geick said most of his disappointments revolve around dealing with employers.

“I always tell them all we want is to have some meaningful consultation on things. I don’t want to to be the guy on the radio, or on the TV, or in the paper.”

His immediate plans include spending some time in California once he leaves office before heading back home to Ontario.

“We’re going to tour the southern States where there’s no snow,” he said with a wink and a smile.

He and his partner have purchased some land in central Ontario just north of Algonquin Park, where they plan to build a house.

That will keep both of them fairly close to most family members, Geick said.

“We have to go back and look after the old folks,” he quipped.

“My partner’s mother is 94 and still living in her own apartment, and my sister just turned 80.

“Most of our family is in a triangle in that area.”