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WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition hopes changing the minister responsible for the Public Service Commission is sufficient to repair the damaged relationship with the Public Service Alliance of Canada/Yukon Employees Union (PSAC/YEU) and is calling for the Liberal government to get back to the negotiating table.
In a January 12 news release, the union expressed frustration that the talks have broken down, and hope that new political leadership provides a solution. It appears the holdups and negotiating impasse came from the previous minister, as he had the portfolio taken away during the recent Cabinet shuffle. It remains to be seen if appointing the previous premier and minister of Finance is enough to repair the fractured relationship, or if the new premier considered the issue during Cabinet appointments.
“The public service has been instrumental as the Yukon has navigated through the pandemic over the past few years,” said Critic for the Public Service Commission Yvonne Clarke. “They have also been without a new contract for over a year and are looking to be compensated for their efforts. To hear that the union was looking forward to a change in political leadership to move negotiations forward is concerning as it seems the Liberals and the minister have once again dropped the ball to the detriment of Yukoners.”
Thousands of unionized employees with the Yukon government have been working in good faith without a contract for over a year as a new deal is negotiated with the PSAC/YEU. It is time to come to a deal that is fair for both sides so the public sector can move forward with certainty.
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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Media Director
(867) 689-7874
