After the largest union in Yukon was placed under trusteeship, members were briefed in a virtual town hall by representatives from the parent union. Josée-Anne Spirito and Chris Aylward, who are from the Public Service Alliance of Canada, have taken on the roles of trustee and administrator for the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU).
The decision to place YEU under trusteeship was explained as a necessary step to address compliance issues within the union’s locals. Spirito clarified that the move was not related to financial concerns or misconduct but aimed at ensuring adherence to YEU’s bylaws.
Aylward, whose salary is funded by YEU, shared challenges faced during his tenure as administrator, citing obstacles hindering progress and internal dysfunction within the executive members. Consequently, trusteeship was recommended to facilitate rebuilding the YEU.
However, some members, like Jessica McIntyre, expressed dissatisfaction with the executive members’ removal, claiming they were merely seeking clarification and asking questions during the administration. Despite differing opinions, Spirito emphasized the importance of member representation in the upcoming leadership convention.
Spirito assured members that ongoing negotiations will not be impacted by the trusteeship and pledged to prioritize securing favorable deals for YEU members. Regular town hall meetings will be conducted to keep members informed and address any concerns during the trusteeship period.