While the Government of Nunavut recently celebrated a new contract with the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 teachers, NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 largest union remains without a deal.
And Nunavut Employees Union (NEU) president Jason Rochon isnSA国际影视传媒檛 mincing words about the impact of going more than three years without new terms, which affects close to 5,000 employees.
SA国际影视传媒淭he NEU is growing tired of promises and public statements from the GN that lead to nothing,SA国际影视传媒� Rochon stated. SA国际影视传媒淧rior to the holiday season, the NEU reached out to the GN on numerous occasions to set dates to talk. We made it clear that we would be available on any date and for any format SA国际影视传媒� in-person, online or other SA国际影视传媒� that worked for the GN and their bargaining team.
SA国际影视传媒淧rior to that, we publicly offered to drop our bad-faith bargaining claim, currently stalled in the court system, in exchange for restarting bargaining talks. This also resulted in nothing. Most recently we sent an email to Mr. (Adam Arreak) LightstoneSA国际影视传媒檚 office, which, at the time of this statement, remains unanswered. At this point the NEU has one statement to make to the GN: name the date, location and format to restart the bargaining talks and we will be there in good faith.SA国际影视传媒�
Arreak Lightstone, who was sworn-in as minister of Human Resources in late November, acknowledged that no negotiations sessions have taken place or been scheduled with the NEU since he began his tenure. He cited several factors that have affected the timeline for bargaining, such as required changes to the negotiating team, public health measures related to to Covid-19 and the government shutdown over the Christmas holidays.
SA国际影视传媒淲e look forward to continuing negotiations and setting another bargaining session with the Nunavut Employees Union,SA国际影视传媒� the minister stated. SA国际影视传媒淎 new collective agreement with the Nunavut Employees Union is a high priority. We value the work our employees do, especially during this current pandemic. We want a fair agreement with appropriate benefits. Earlier this month we signed a collective agreement with the Nunavut TeachersSA国际影视传媒� Association. The negotiating teams only took four days to reach a tentative agreement. ISA国际影视传媒檓 hopeful once we meet with the (NEU), we will be able to move forward quickly.SA国际影视传媒�
Rochon pointed that that since October 2021, the NEU has reached three agreements with employers SA国际影视传媒渨ith far less resources than the GN despite the challenges of Covid-19, holiday and public health safety closures. Additionally, we have scheduled the start of bargaining talks with the Qulliq Energy Corporation despite these same challenges.SA国际影视传媒�
In October, Rochon said he wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 hesitate to call a strike vote, if thatSA国际影视传媒檚 the route that NEU membership wants to take.
SA国际影视传媒淲hatever our members want, ISA国际影视传媒檒l be there with them,SA国际影视传媒� he said at the time.
During negotiations that took place several months ago, the GN and the NEU were reportedly close to agreeing on wages SA国际影视传媒� approximately one per cent apart SA国际影视传媒� but still had to overcome significant differences on Northern allowance. As well, the union sought five paid days off for public servants who need to recover from domestic violence incidents. The territorial government currently offers up to 17 weeks of leave in such circumstances, but all unpaid.
