Your Union Bargaining Team has now met with the Negotiating Team for the Government of Nunavut over four separate sessions – in October 2024, and in January, February and March of this year.
We are happy to report that progress is being made toward reaching a new Collective Agreement for our more than 4,000 members who work for the Government of Nunavut.
The parties have signed off on several pieces of less controversial language and have moved on to discussing more difficult issues, such as workplace harassment, the grievance procedure, hours of work, and overtime provisions.
The tenor of discussion at the bargaining table is positive and your Union is hopeful that the cordial relationship between the parties will continue as we try to resolve long-standing problems in the workplace, including the contracting out of bargaining unit work and the over-use of casual employees and agency workers.
Your team is also focused on the significant improvements needed to ensure the Inuktut Language Incentive Policy is able to deliver on its key goal – to increase the use of the Inuktut Language as a working language of Nunavut and ensure that services are provided in the Inuktut Language.
At the GN Bargaining Conference in June, 2024, delegates also identified other priorities such as improving provisions for leave for harvesting and traditional cultural activities, and ensuring that the Collective Agreement is consistent with traditional Inuit societal values, known as Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
To that end, the parties have scheduled future bargaining dates for May June, July, August and September.
We will continue to update you after each bargaining session with the Employer. Please stay tuned for further developments!
YOUR BARGAINING TEAM
Jason Rochon, NEU President
Amanda Arsenault
Tristan Howell
Eunice Kripanik-Panigayak
Alex McConnachie
Paul Puqiqnak
Marianne Uqayuittuq
Daniel Kinsella, NEU Executive Director
Saïd Apali, PSAC Research Officer
Gail Lem, PSAC Negotiator