Negotiating teams for the Government of Nunavut and NEU/PSAC met for collective bargaining in Iqaluit on May 5-8, 2025, our sixth session of bargaining and the first such meeting since March.
We are pleased to report continued progress at the bargaining table. New language in several articles now has been signed off, and while not controversial, taken as a group, these agreements represent continued movement forward to a new deal.
During the bargaining session in May, the Union provided the Employer with a major presentation on Casual, Term and Relief Employees after analyzing data supplied by the Employer. Too many employees are classified as Casuals, and the Union is seeking to ensure that employees who are properly Term, Relief or Job Share employees under the Collective Agreement are not losing out on pay or benefits as a result of being misclassified. In addition, your Union is also seeking confirmation that the Employer is abiding by the terms set out in the Agreement which prohibit the GN from using a series of Casual, Term or Relief appointments in lieu of hiring full-time indeterminate employees or filling vacancies. We have also tabled several other proposals intended to regularize the use of Casual employees, as well as of agency staff in the health care sector
We look forward to further discussion on these critical matters when the parties meet again for bargaining during the week of June 23, 2025
Your Bargaining Team would like to express our appreciation to NEU 2nd Vice-President Tristan Howell, who has stepped down from the Bargaining Team due to other responsibilities. Thank you, Tristan, for your ongoing commitment to NEU members.
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
Eunice Kripanik-Panigayak
Alex McConnachie
Paul Puqiqnak
Marianne Uqayuittuq
Daniel Kinsella, NEU Executive Director
Saïd Apali, PSAC Research Officer
Gail Lem, PSAC Negotiator