Following the declaration of trusteeship for the largest union in the Yukon, the parent union’s representatives conducted a virtual town hall to elucidate the decision and address queries from members. Josée-Anne Spirito and Chris Aylward, the new trustee and administrator, are both affiliated with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the parent organization of the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU).

The Public Service Alliance recently assumed control of YEU, suspending the Yukon union’s bylaws and removing the president, vice-president, and directors from their positions. Spirito emphasized that the trusteeship was a carefully considered measure not linked to any individual’s actions or financial discrepancies within the union.

Aylward, whose salary is funded by YEU while his role is supported by PSAC, recounted encountering obstacles in his attempts to make progress during his tenure as administrator. He described facing resistance and excessive scrutiny from executive members, leading to a standstill in operations. This impasse ultimately led to the recommendation for trusteeship.

Despite some members expressing reservations about the decision, Spirito acknowledged concerns about vacant seats and the need for representation at the upcoming leadership convention in October. She reiterated the importance of transparency and member involvement, committing to regular town hall meetings to address queries and provide updates on corrective actions.

Spirito assured members that bargaining efforts would proceed without hindrance and emphasized the commitment to securing a favorable deal for YEU members at the negotiation table. She underscored that the trusteeship would not impede the bargaining process and reaffirmed the dedication of both YEU and PSAC to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.