In response to the recent placement of the largest union in the Yukon under trusteeship, members were engaged through a virtual town hall by representatives from the overseeing union. Josée-Anne Spirito and Chris Aylward, newly appointed trustee and administrator, are affiliated with the Yukon Employees’ Union’s parent organization, the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
The Public Service Alliance assumed leadership of the YEU, suspending the union’s bylaws and removing its president, vice-president, and directors from their positions. Spirito emphasized that the decision for trusteeship was not taken lightly and was not related to financial issues or misconduct.
Aylward, whose salary is funded by YEU, detailed challenges faced in his role as administrator, citing obstacles hindering progress and communication breakdowns within the executive team. He highlighted the necessity for the trusteeship to address dysfunction within the union and expressed optimism for rebuilding the YEU.
However, some members, like Jessica McIntyre, questioned the justification for the trusteeship, arguing that the ousted executive members were merely seeking clarity and understanding during the administration.
Despite the upheaval, plans for new leadership selection in October are underway, with concerns raised about delegate submissions and vacant seats. Spirito stressed the importance of member representation and hinted at a potential postponement of the convention if needed.
Spirito assured members that town hall meetings would continue to provide transparency and opportunities for dialogue during the trusteeship period. She reiterated the commitment to ongoing negotiations and affirmed that bargaining efforts would not be negatively impacted by the trusteeship.
The focus remains on securing a fair deal for YEU members at the bargaining table, with Spirito emphasizing the unwavering dedication of both YEU and PSAC to the negotiation process.