The winter holidays are often a time of contemplation, during which many of us reflect on what we've accomplished and prepare for the challenges ahead.
This is true for the labour movement and for families across the territories. As the days get colder, workers and families in the North have much to feel warm about as we look back on the year coming to an end.
This year, Northerners demonstrated the power of solidarity SA国际影视传媒� achieving meaningful victories while laying the groundwork for future progress. We've shown that when workers fight together, we win together SA国际影视传媒� not just for ourselves but for our communities as well.
We recently witnessed the remarkable resilience of workers in the Northwest Territories when housing workers in Fort Simpson held the line on strike for 53 days, demonstrating their unwavering determination to secure fair wages and improved housing services for their community.
Communities united in support of these workers, signing petitions, writing letters and emails, phoning elected officials and attending a rally at the NWT Legislative Assembly. This collective support was instrumental in securing a victory that set an important precedent for future negotiations, reinforcing the value of each individual's contribution.
Throughout 2024, we've seen strong bargaining teams elected to negotiate meaningful gains for public service workers, housing association and power corporation employees, and municipal workers in hamlets, villages, towns and cities across the North SA国际影视传媒� including fair deals for City of Yellowknife, the NWT Power Corporation and GNWT employees.
Activists in the Northwest Territories joined national efforts to fight healthcare privatization and called for accessible emergency services through PSAC's advocacy campaign for Text to 9-1-1 services in the North, making it clear that we will not back down when vital public services we rely on and deserve are at risk.
The rising cost of living, chronic housing shortages and the looming threat of privatization remain significant challenges. In the New Year, union members will focus on several key priorities for improving life in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. We will continue the fight against healthcare privatization, advocating for a well-funded public system protected from for-profit models and responsive to local and cultural needs.
Housing will remain a critical issue as we push for resources to address the urgent need for affordable housing in our communities and transparency about how workers are provided the resources they need.
Equity and inclusion will also be at the forefront of our efforts to advocate for marginalized workers and foster workplaces built on fairness and respect. We will strengthen protections for striking workers by advocating for legislative and policy changes to ensure that the use of replacement workers is opposed and collective bargaining power is upheld in the North, helping to create a stronger, more equitable future for all.
The upcoming federal election presents an opportunity to amplify voices from the North. With the threat of an anti-labour government on the horizon, it will be crucial to organize and protect the rights and benefits that workers and families rely on.
This year has proven the strength of our collective action and why we must continue to fight for what matters most: protecting public healthcare, demanding safe and comfortable affordable housing, championing equity and inclusion and strengthening rights and protections for all workers.
I encourage Northerners to consider ways they can stay or become more involved in improving their communities. Everyone's voice matters and can make an impact. By getting active in a community organization, a workplace, or with a union SA国际影视传媒� whether through joining a bargaining team, local executive, equity committee or union education program SA国际影视传媒� sharing ideas and working with others can help shape the future of our region.
Let's carry the spirit of solidarity into 2025 and prepare to stand up for fairer workplaces and stronger public services that meet the needs of the North.
On behalf of our members and the PSAC North team, I wish workers and families across all three territories a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
SA国际影视传媒擩osee-Anne Spirito is PSAC North's regional executive vice-president.
