We won’t give a big loud sales pitch, but YEU has something really good over here and we want to be sure you know about it.

Unions are funny fish; it’s hard to quantify what you’re going to get when you buy in and become a member.

What you can be sure of is that you’ll get a Collective Agreement; a contract that defines the relationship between you and your employer. If it’s a first contract, you’ll see changes to the structure of your workplace, you’ll hear new words like Shop Steward, Executive, Local, and you will see a new deduction on your pay stub that says Union Dues.

So what do you get for that dues money? What does union membership buy you?

Expertise, you’re going to get that in spades. You’ll get a whole team of people whose job it is to improve your work life. Our expert negotiators work with your team to craft a contract and then… then the work begins. Your contract will spell out how conflict is managed, how opportunities are shared and how responsibility is shouldered.  As a member, you’re part of all that. If you have conflict in your workplace, we’re the place to turn.  We have professionals here to help. Our people have years of education and experience at helping solve problems. They can act as a resource, problem solver and advocate for you. Sometimes you just need a little guidance. Some day you might need a lot of help. Either way, we’re ready.

You’ll find opportunity, that’s for sure. There is access to training, to personal development, community and activism that you might not find elsewhere.  The union offers a place for all kinds of membership too; you can be a flag flying, banner waving trade unionist or you can be a quiet member, content with the security of a fairly negotiated contract. Along the spectrum of engagement, there’s a place for you.

Solidarity; we offer that… it’s a pretty old fashioned word, but there’s nothing more powerful than a group of people with similar goals working together for a common purpose. It’s amazing, really, what can be accomplished.

So that’s the pitch.  We sell solidarity, unity, common goals, opportunity and community.

Unions are made of workers like you. Together, we are the Labour Movement… whether we’re talking Yukon Labour or the Canadian Labour Movement. It’s people like you and your colleagues working with people like us to solve problems and strengthen communities.