Following the announcement of the Yukon’s largest union being placed under trusteeship, officials from its overseeing union conducted a virtual town hall to provide clarifications and address queries from members. Josée-Anne Spirito and Chris Aylward, now serving as trustee and administrator respectively, are affiliated with the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU) parent organization, the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
The Public Service Alliance assumed control of YEU recently, notifying members via email that the Yukon union’s bylaws are suspended, and the president, vice-president, and directors have been removed from their positions. Spirito emphasized that the decision for trusteeship was made cautiously to ensure compliance with YEU bylaws across its local chapters.
Aylward, whose salary is funded by YEU while his role is backed by PSAC, recounted challenges faced during his tenure, citing a lack of progress and obstacles encountered in executive meetings. He expressed the need for structural changes within the union due to persistent hindrances in the administration.
Despite some dissenting voices among members like Jessica McIntyre, who contested the removal of executive members for seeking clarity on administrative matters, Spirito highlighted the importance of member representation at the upcoming leadership convention. She stressed the continuation of town halls to engage members and provide updates on corrective actions during the trusteeship period.
Spirito assured members that bargaining efforts would proceed without disruption, emphasizing the commitment to securing fair deals for YEU members. She reiterated that negotiations remained a top priority for both YEU and PSAC, underscoring the trusteeship’s aim to strengthen the union’s position at the negotiating table.