As summer and warmer weather start to make their way around this great Territory, we also start the preparations for Nunavut Day on July 9. The NEU was formed in 1998 just prior to the official birth of Nunavut in 1999. That means that next year’s Nunavut Day will mark the 20th year that the NEU has proudly served, represented and worked for those that make Nunavut work.

2017 started out as an eventful year. The NEU Head Office flooded at the end of February and we temporarily relocated on Federal Road for almost four months. Needless to say, we are glad to be back at Building 165 -  a much more central and accessible location for our Iqaluit based Members and for those who are passing through the Nunavut Capital.

It was just coincidental timing, but our return to our office closely proceeded the reaching of a tentative agreement between the NEU and the Qilluq Energy Corporation (QEC) on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Local Seven.

I was pleased with the attitude of the QEC Bargaining Representatives. They came to the table looking for a fair settlement that met the needs of our Members while keeping in mind current economic factors. Two bargaining sessions and we reached an agreement that the NEU/PSAC Bargaining Team unanimously recommend that Members of Local Seven ratify. We have held a ratification vote in Iqaluit and will be visiting two other communities (Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet) and will arrange for a mail-in vote for all the other communities.

So far in 2017 we have also committed to keeping our Members more ‘in-the-loop’ and providing even more responsive service. As part of this, we have added two more full-time staff to our Head Office team – a Communications Officer and a Membership Services Clerk.

While our Head Office staff are enjoying the warm weather in Iqaluit, they are also busy preparing for the 2017 Triennial Convention to be held here in the Nunavut Capital October 3-5. The Convention is where NEU policy and direction are set and key Members of our Executive are elected. So, I want to take this chance to personally thank all the Members who are going to attend this important event to represent their Locals as Delegates.

We are your Union, so we always appreciate the involvement of Members in determining how we work for you.

I will update you as soon as the QEC ratification process is completed and I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy the summer weather while it lasts.

In solidarity,
Bill Fennell
President, NEU