The Bargaining Team and the Union representing YEU/PSAC Local Y031 were unable to reach an agreement with Many Rivers Counselling & Support Services management, despite final conciliation talks held today in Whitehorse.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada has served strike notice with the Canada Industrial Relations Board on behalf of the Local, which will see job action commence Friday November 2nd at 4pm.
PSAC’s Regional Executive Vice President for the North Jack Bourassa has watched this long process unfold, and shares the workers’ disappointment. “It’s frustrating that we’ve reached impasse yet again. The workers have kept up their end of the bargain, doing excellent work in support of their communities. We had higher hopes for the employer, but clearly we were wrong.” Negotiations spanned more than 12 months, and members showed their resolve with a strong strike mandate in August.
The union remains open to renewed talks, and welcomes any opportunity for dialogue with the Board of Directors. The goal has always been to reach a negotiated agreement and minimize disruption to the clients these workers serve.
Jack Bourassa, REVP North Public Service Alliance of Canada
Steve Geick, President Yukon Employees' Union
