After the largest union in Yukon was placed under trusteeship, representatives from its parent union organized a virtual town hall to clarify the situation and address queries. Josée-Anne Spirito and Chris Aylward, who are from the parent organization, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, have been appointed as the new trustee and administrator for the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU).
The decision to place YEU under trusteeship was emphasized by Spirito as a carefully considered measure. She assured members that this action was not due to any individual’s actions, financial concerns, or fund misappropriation. The primary goal of this intervention is to ensure that YEU’s local chapters, some of which have been struggling to meet the union’s basic requirements, align with the organization’s bylaws.
Aylward, whose salary is funded through YEU while her role is supported by PSAC, shared insights during an online session with over 100 members. She described facing obstacles and resistance in making progress, which led to a standstill in mid to late May. The challenges included facing constant questioning and resistance from executive members, hindering administrative work and prompting the recommendation for trusteeship.
Despite some members expressing skepticism, such as Jessica McIntyre, Spirito emphasized the importance of rebuilding the union and ensuring democratic representation. With concerns about vacant seats and delegate submissions for the upcoming leadership convention, Spirito highlighted the necessity of addressing these issues promptly.
Spirito stressed the significance of ongoing transparency and communication through town hall meetings to keep members informed about corrective actions being implemented. Despite the trusteeship, the focus remains on securing fair deals for YEU members during negotiations, with bargaining efforts continuing without disruption.