Hospital Workers across the Territory cast their ballots May 14th, ratifying a new contract with employer Yukon Hospital Corporation.
The concession free deal reflected a number of improvements to the contract including the establishment of a new joint working group on workload which will report within the next year.
There is a commitment to provide improved communication on pension matters and an agreement has been reached to protect the current pension plan, retaining it as a defined benefit plan for the duration of the contract.
Early in April, the membership voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate, should a deal remain elusive.
Yukon Employees’ Union President Steve Geick is pleased with the result. “The bargaining team did a terrific job for their members, holding firm on issues that were non-negotiable while showing respect for the bargaining process and the employer’s team throughout. This is a good contract which will help create a better workplace for everyone”.
“We’re happy to see an excellent contract in place that will improve working conditions for hospital staff across the territory. It’s reassuring that visitors to Yukon’s hospitals did not suffer any interruptions to crucial services.”
The three year contract will remain in effect until August 31 2017 and affects most Yukon Hospital workers excluding doctors and registered nurses.