After the announcement of the Yukon’s largest union falling under trusteeship, leaders from the parent union engaged in a virtual town hall to elucidate the situation and address queries from members. The newly appointed trustee, Josée-Anne Spirito, and administrator, Chris Aylward, both originate from the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the parent body of the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU).
The Public Service Alliance took control of the YEU recently, suspending the union’s bylaws and removing the president, vice-president, and directors from their positions. Spirito emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and clarified that it was unrelated to any individual’s actions or financial concerns within the union.
Aylward, whose salary is supported by YEU while his role is funded by PSAC, recounted attending executive meetings since March but faced challenges progressing due to increasing resistance and barriers from existing members. This dysfunction ultimately led to the recommendation of trusteeship.
While some members like Jessica McIntyre disagreed, asserting that the ousted executive members were merely seeking clarification during the administration, Spirito highlighted the urgency of ensuring proper representation at the upcoming leadership convention in October. She emphasized the importance of transparency and the continuation of bargaining efforts without negative repercussions from the trusteeship.
Spirito affirmed her commitment to keeping members informed and addressing their concerns through regular town hall meetings throughout the trusteeship period. She reiterated the focus on securing a fair deal for YEU members during negotiations, emphasizing that bargaining efforts would persist without hindrance.
