91社区破解版

The Yukon government and labour unions representing health care workers have resolved a major impasse over the territory鈥檚 planned health authority.

The NDP said Wednesday afternoon that has occurred thanks to negotiations spurred by party leader Kate White.

But the government has countered that it鈥檚 鈥渄isappointing to see the NDP try to downplay the work of important partners like the Health Transformation Advisory Committee and the Chiefs Committee on Health鈥� in resolving any issues stemming from the authority鈥檚 creation.

The terms of the resolution are summarized in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed Wednesday.

The MOU sets clear expectations for YG and the Yukon Hospital Corp. (YHC) around collective bargaining, the transfer of health care workers to the new health authority, as well as workers鈥� pay, benefits, and pensions.

鈥淭he MOU caps weeks of close consultation between the Yukon NDP and union leadership,鈥� the NDP said.

鈥淭his is a win for health care workers in the Yukon,鈥� White added.

鈥淲e told the Liberals they needed to work with affected unions to sign an MOU because the Health Authority Act didn鈥檛 clearly spell out how workers鈥� pensions and benefits would be protected, or how to deal with other labour relations issues.鈥� she added.

鈥淚鈥檓 extremely grateful and impressed with the determination and strength shown by Kate White and the Yukon NDP caucus,鈥� said Teresa Acheson, the Yukon Federation of Labour鈥檚 president.

鈥淭hey stand with workers. They worked hard with union staff and representatives dedicated to protecting health care workers as we transition to a health authority.鈥�

St茅phanie Montreuil is the head of public affairs at the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), which represents registered nurses employed by the YHC. She also thanked White for her advocacy.

鈥淧IPSC is proud of what we鈥檝e been able to achieve in working with government and other unions to provide much needed assurance and stability to Yukon healthcare workers,鈥� said Montreuil.

鈥淲e want to thank Kate White and the Yukon NDP for their tenacity in advocating on behalf of these essential workers.

鈥淭his demonstrates what can be accomplished through meaningful collaboration, and we are hopeful for what this means for workers as we move towards a health authority in the territory,鈥� Montreuil added.

Yukon Employees Union (YEU) president Justin Lemphers said the union is 鈥済rateful for the dedication of the team at the Yukon NDP and Leader Kate White, who advocated for workers and workers鈥� rights and helped to facilitate getting us to this MOU.

鈥淭here is still a lot of work to be done,鈥� Lemphers added.

鈥淏ut this MOU leaves us hopeful that we can meet future challenges.

鈥淎nd, we are confident that it will position us well to protect and advance the interests of union members who will be affected by the transition to the new health authority.鈥�

Jordan Owens, the director of cabinet communication, said later Wednesday the Liberal caucus 鈥渋s pleased that after ongoing engagement (including engagement that predated the tabling of this legislation), and following vocal support and direct outreach from the Chiefs Committee on Health and the Health Transformation Advisory Committee, MLA White was able to see a path forward to support the Health Authority Act.鈥�

As Health Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee has stated repeatedly, including in a recent opinion column published in the Star, the Canada Labour Code guarantees successorship rights exist for all bargaining unit employees, Owens pointed out.

Sandy Silver, the minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, has also stressed that point in the legislature this spring.

鈥淭his means that even without an MOU between the Yukon government and unions, employees currently represented by a union will continue to be represented 鈥� and will port their existing, negotiated collective agreements, along with their corresponding pension and comprehensive benefits packages 鈥� over to the new health authority.

鈥淪ince signing the MOU let the unions allow MLA White to support the Health Authority Act at committee of the whole, we were more than happy to do so.鈥�

Grand Chief Peter Johnston of the Council of Yukon First Nations once said, 鈥淔or far too long, Yukon First Nations have endured systemic racism within the health system, and unacceptable health inequities persist as a result. This legislation is a necessary first and foundational step to improve outcomes for all.鈥�

Owens added, 鈥淚f advancing Yukon鈥檚 health care system to address systemic racism wasn鈥檛 enough for Kate White support this legislation, I鈥檓 at least glad that our work with the unions allowed her to do so.鈥�