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Yukon Employees’ Union 2285-2nd Ave. Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 1C9
NEWS
Yukon Employees’ Union
Breaking new trail for workers' rights & social justice. December 2016
Congratulations to Justin Lemphers,
Yukon Federation of Labour’s New President
The Yukon Federation of Labour held its triennial convention recently. Outgoing President Vikki Quocksister did not run for re-election, and a new leader has taken the helm.
Justin Lemphers has a clear vision of the path ahead for the Yukon Federation of Labour. The organization`s newly elected President speaks passionately about the importance of education, the power of the Red Seal program and the value of apprenticeships for Yukon`s workers & industry.
Lemphers came to his labour activism in the way many people do... through a conflict in his workplace. He credits late YEU activist Shirley MacDonald with his decision to pursue activism, while PSAC REVP Jack Bourassa was his inspiration to become a Shop Steward. The Labour movement plays an important role in helping to ensure opportunity for all workers, unionized or not, Lemphers believes.
Despite the decades long pursuit of effective whistle-blower legislation in the Territory, finally enacted in 2015, he believes it’s riskier now than ever for workers to speak up. Lemphers hopes the Yukon’s new Liberal government will see the importance of safeguarding a censure-free disclosure process for public servants fearful of negative consequences.
The YFL is the political voice for workers in the Territory. Lemphers, in collaboration with the Canadian Labour Congress and local affiliate unions will advocate to ensure workers’ rights are respected with worker health & safety a priority. With a new Territorial government in place, he looks forward to meeting the newly appointed Ministers and creating a positive working relationship.
Temporary Foreign Workers are on his mind as well, and making sure employers provide them with safe workplaces and the same rights as Canadian workers is a priority for Justin.
The Federation of Labour’s dual mandates are political action and education for all workers. Its priorities are directed by the CLC and the YFL Executive Council, made up of representatives from affiliated unions. Watch for new training programs over the next year as the education stream is established once again.
Both Lemphers and the new government will be on a steep learning curve over the coming months. There’s a lot at stake and the YFL’s new President is up to the job.
Congratulations, Justin!
ards w te S p o h S d u ro P r Some of ou
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YEU NEWS December 2016
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Bill C-27 and the Threat to Your Pension
hhhhh, retirement. All the time in the world to do what you’ve been dreaming of for years. You’ve planned, you’ve saved and made sure you had your financial ducks in a row before your last day on the job. Thankful for work that offered you a rock solid pension, a deferred payment plan for your post-work years, you’ve contributed for a long time.
Well fasten your seatbelt, friend. Thanks to a new bill introduced by Trudeau’s Finance Minister Bill Morneau, your defined pension plan is not safe... even if you’ve been retired & collecting your pension for years.
Bill C-27 promotes the establishment of target benefit plans, long considered far inferior to defined benefit plans. If passed, the legislation will permit employers to buy back your defined benefit plan in favour of less expensive (for them) annuities, so long as they have approval from the retiree. And while it seems unlikely that a retiree would agree, if the conditions were right and the pressure was strong, it could happen.
Bill C-27 looms as a real game-changer for Canada’s retirees and workers. For some, the pensions they worked for throughout their working lives are at risk of being fundamentally changed, even after the fact.
I urge you to learn more about Bill C-27. We’ll be in communication with MP Larry Bagnell to ask him to take a stand for all workers, especially those in private federally regulated industries. Many of our members in Yukon stand to be affected by this change, if it goes ahead.
Yukoners from the following Locals will be impacted by this legislative change:
Yukon Arts Centre Air North Flight Attendants Yukon Hospital Corporation City of Dawson
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Yukon College Yukon Energy Corporation Town of Watson Lake City of Whitehorse
We believe that once the shift is made from defined benefit to target benefit plans, there will be no going back. Few employers will see any need to maintain or sign on to the far superior defined benefit plans. The erosion of retirement security for Canada’s seniors continues, and with it the erosion of worker rights and the hopes of our young workers for a secure future.
The Liberal Party did not campaign on allowing employers to pressure workers and retirees into “surrendering” their pension rights. In fact, it signaled to voters that it would protect these rights. The government has no mandate for this extreme legislation.
Already, beleaguered workers have begun to shrug their shoulders and say things like “well, we’re just lucky to have any pension at all”. WHY? Pensions are supported by the employer and the employee... part of a contracted benefit package that includes a portion of salary held for later. It’s not a gift, it’s not a luxury and it’s not something you should expect to lose. Solidarity is needed if we hope to defend pensions; we should not be afraid we’ll lose it all if we object.
Workers need to stand together against these constant erosions of your rights now, if we hope to shore up any hope of pension security for young workers at the beginning of their work lives.
If the legislation passes, the precedent will be set and other employers can be expected to quickly follow suit. Join us in calling on Member of Parliament Larry Bagnell to help stop this bill; email Larry.Bagnell@parl.gc.ca. In solidarity,
Steve Geick, President Yukon Employees’ Union
YEU NEWS December 2016
Bill C-27: C 27 Undermining U d i i Canadian C di Pensions P i s Pension Promises Must Be Honoured. Canadian pension law exists to protect pensions that have already been promised. Bill C-27 would tear up this traditional protection by permitting employers to pressure their workers and retirees into “surrendering” their pension rights. Canada is a country where a deal is a deal. Employers should not be allowed to walk away from the pension promises they’ve made to workers and retirees. Broken Promises. Before the election, Justin Trudeau clearly promised in writing “[Defined Benefit Plans] which have already been paid for by employees and pensioners, should not be retroactively changed into [T Tar arget Benefit Plans].” Bill C-27 would permit precisely this retroactive change. T Trrudeau has broken his promise to retirees and pension plan members.
No Mandate. The Liberal Party did id not campaign on allowing employers to pressu ure workers and retirees into “surrendering” their pension rights. In fact, it signaled to voters that it would protect pr these rights. The government hass no mandate for this extreme legislation. Fueling Labour Disputes. The Bill B will destabilize labour relations in the workplace. Employers E will be keen to push workers to “surrend der” the pension promises they’ve already earned. This will fuel conflict between members of the bar bargaining unit, between more senior workers and d new hires, and between active and retired worke ers. Shifting Risks to Members. Co onversion from a DB to a TB plan shifts virtually alll plan risks fr from employers to active and retired members. m
Bill C-27 is Stephen Harper’s Unfinished Business. The Harper government considered these changes, but even the Conservatives did not proceed with this anti-worker legislation. Now the Liberals are picking up where they left off.
Downgrading not upgrading. Bill C-27 is not about creating new options for employers and increasing pension coverage. This Bill is rreally about attacking secure DB pensions and replacing them with employer-friendly TB plans.
Actuarial Firms Arre e the Big Winners. W Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s firm Morneau Shepell wrote in a submission to the federal government that TB plans entail “excessive operating costs” (which, of course, flow to firms like Morneau Shepell). These actuarial firms would be big winners if DB plans were converted to TB plans, which require more frequent and more complex services from actuarial and pension p consulting g firms like Morneau Shepell. p
A Dangero rous National Prece edent. Bill C-27 would set an example across the country c ry that other provinces would be invited to follo ow, giving private and public sector employers the green light to intensify attacks on DB plans in every very jurisdiction.
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YEU NEWS December 2016
A Note from From the Vice-President’s Desk Tony Thomas - YEU Vice-President, Communities
I’m glad to report that the Village Of Haines Junction, YEU/PSAC Local Y042 has ratified a first Collective Agreement. In my last report, I had stated that both sides were in the process of ratification and now I am pleased to announce an agreement that has satisfied both management and the union . Big thanks to bargaining team members Collin Kallio and Brent Behm for their tireless efforts and dedication not only to bargaining, but forming a Local and providing a voice for their co-workers. Good job to everyone involved.
Unfortunately I wish I had positive news to report on negotiations with the Town of Watson Lake. After meetings in October and November things remain stagnant. Negotiations with the town will resume mid-January and hopefully something positive will emerge from a very trying set of negotiations.
Members at the City of Dawson have begun gathering proposals for the upcoming round of bargaining. Their Collective Agreement expires on Dec.31st this year. I expect face to face negotiations will begin early in the new year. I had the good fortune to be part of a contingent of Yukoners that attended the National Health and Safety Conference in Montreal, November 17-22. The conference was well attend-
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ed. There were great speakers who touched on everything from workplace accidents & incidents, mental health, conflict in the workplace, responsibilities of the employer and global warming.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Bauman, now the Local President of YEU/PSAC Local Y038, Help & Hope for Families in Watson Lake. Cynthia Jimmy is their newly elected Chief Shop Steward.
Merry Christmas everyone and happy holidays. I hope to see you in my travels!
If you need to talk with me when I visit your Community, please send email me at tthomas@yeu.ca and I’ll be in touch. In solidarity, Tony Thomas, VP Communities Yukon Employees’ Union
YEU NEWS December 2016
Rise Up 2016 - Live the Change I was lucky enough to attend the CLC’s recent Rise Up! 2016 conference in Ottawa along with Derek Yap. The event was designed to challenge labour activists to face systemic discrimination in our own organizations and all around us. As Northern representative for the PSAC’s Human Rights Committee, I was there to learn.
Opening night was amazing. We heard from Wab Kinew and Hasan Minhaj. We were then honoured with a powerful dance performance dedicated to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, set to the music of A Tribe Called Red. I have no words to describe that performance. Big screens set up behind the dancers showed an image of a traditional mask with tears streaming down; it took my breath away. Whitehorse activist Ron Rousseau, CLC’s Indigenous Representative provided a daily smudging ceremony which I joined a few times. I attended my first Allies Caucus for Indigenous Workers. I was happy to meet other like-minded people wanting to help dismantle the multi-generational patterns of discrimination against Indigenous peoples, wanting to do what is right.
Toronto activist Desmond Cole made a huge impression on me: Google search this man! He is calling out the Toronto Police for the anti-black racism he has witnessed and has been subjected to. He said he’s looking for accomplices and com-
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rades. and challenges Canadian labour activists to take up the fight against racialized police treatment and discriminatory carding practices.
Here is something to think about Apartheid was horrible, right? Well, did you know that parts of the Indian Act were used to make that system of racial segregation happen? I didn’t. I do now.
It was in a panel discussions open to the entire group that I learned about the National Employment Law Project; check out their website nelp.org. They have a campaign dedicated to seeking job fairness for those making less than minimum wage. With ventures like AirBNB, Uber, and Lift, it’s unclear how we can protect those workers. Can we ensure they make their fair share when the major corporations are making big dollars worldwide? Dr. Cindy Blackstock brought up a very interesting idea: let’s honour moral courage, not just physical courage. She is an advocate for the rights of First Nations’ children. Check out the website fncaringsociety.com for 7 Free Ways to Make a Difference. The event spanned four days. I could write a novel filled with insights gained. The event has its own smart phone app, and I have access to all workshop documents. If you want to learn more, please email me!
Lisa Vollans, Northern Rep PSAC Human Rights Committee
YEU NEWS December 2016
Get your Flu Shot! Though Yukon normally averages 5 cases of confirmed influenza by December 1, we’ve had 24 confirmed cases in 2016 by November 24th. More than one third of these cases have been diagnosed in the week of November 14-19th... Flu activity is increasing! Get ahead of the bug! Visit http://yukonimmunization.ca/diseases-vaccines/influenza or call (867) 667-8864to find the flu clinic nearest you. Help keep Yukoners safe!
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YEU NEWS December 2016
Meetings & Events
Y010 Monthly Meeting: 2nd Tues., 5:30-7:30 p.m., YEU Hall
Y017 Monthly Meeting: 4th Wed., 7:30 p.m., YEU Hall
PSAC Committees Meetings: Contact PSAC RO, 667-2331
Staff
YEU Monthly Exec Meeting: 2nd Thurs., 6:30-9:00 pm, YEU
Shop Steward Sandwich Session: 1st Tuesday/mo. 12-1, Local Room Shop Steward Round Table: Aug. 17, 9am - noon, YEU
YEU Shop Stewards Conference: Sept. 27 & 28, YEU
Christie Harper, Labour Relations Advisor; charper@yeu.ca
David Anderson, Shop Steward Coordinator; danderson@yeu.ca
Beckie Huston, Intake Officer; bhuston@yeu.ca
Deborah Turner-Davis, Communications: dturner-davis@yeu.ca
Susan Koser, Labour Relations Advisor; skoser@yeu.ca Tammy Olsen, Financial Officer; tolsen@yeu.ca
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Roseanne Elias, Membership Svcs Assistant; relias@yeu.ca Laura Hureau, Executive Director; lhureau@yeu.ca
Yukon Employees’ Union Office, 2285 2nd Avenue Whitehorse YT Y1A 1C9 PH: 867-667-2331 Fax: 867-667-6521 Toll Free: 1-888-YEU-2331 Email contact@yeu.ca Visit www.yeu.ca, follow us on Facebook & Twitter & visit our blog; www.theunionbillboard.com Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
YEU NEWS December’16