The Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU) and the territorial government are at an impasse in their collective bargaining.

In the latest newsletter, YEU president Steve Geick revealed that negotiations have basically broken off at this point.

The union has now applied for a conciliator to be appointed by the Yukon Public Services Labour Relations Board.

In the newsletter, Geick said it’s the first time the union has resorted to such an application in his “more than 20 years with YEU.

“By following the conciliation process, we can pursue other actions should our attempt at mediation fail. We have informed the government that we are more than ready to return to the bargaining table before mediation if they are willing to move the process along in a respectful way.”

YEU vice-president Justin Lemphers told the Star May 24 the union is planning to consult its members further on the negotiations to gain a clear perspective on what they want.

He said the salary grid for midwives was one paramount issue, as well as addressing concerns expressed by health workers.

Lemphers said many of them are suffering from burnout after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and are leaving the profession.

“Their sick leave is being exhausted incredibly quickly,” Lemphers said. “People are just leaving.”

As for midwives, the union believes their salaries have been placed at an unreasonably low level compared to other jurisdictions.

As well, the union believes the bonuses being offered by the government to level the playing field aren’t pensionable earnings, which it deems unacceptable.

Lemphers also questions what the government and hospital corporations are doing to retain employees.

He said the government is more focused on recruiting new employees than it is on holding onto current workers.

The government responded to the union’s comments with a statement to the Star from Marcia Davidson, the acting director 
of Communications, Engagement and Strategic Initiatives with the Public Service Commission.

“We are currently engaged in collective bargaining with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) to renew our existing collective agreement, which expired on Dec. 31, 2021,” Davidson noted.

“Our representatives have met with the Alliance’s local component, the Yukon Employees’ Union, and the PSAC negotiator several times to establish a renewed collective agreement.

“The PSAC/YEU has applied for conciliation to the Yukon Public Service Labour Relations Board. We fully intend to participate in that process in a respectful way.

“The Employer and the PSAC/YEU obtained a mediator during the last round of collective bargaining which was successful in securing an agreement between the parties.

“Our government respects the bargaining process and will not be speaking about the details of those confidential discussions,” Davidson added.