Photo above: Local 06, City of Iqaluit Members Ratification.
Dear NEU Members,
Happy holidays! Please stay safe this holiday season, take time for your mental health (resources available here), and check in with one another.
As you do, remember all the things we have achieved together this year. Because we are strong enough to face anything. The road ahead might seem uncertain for many of us, but I am full of hope for the future.
This past year we achieved record breaking collective agreements and had the most Union education training and courses we have ever had.
The Nunavut Employees Union office will close for the holidays on December 24th and will reopen on January 3rd, 2025. We’re looking forward to a new year and to achieving much more together.
We also just wrapped up the QEC Bargaining Conference and we are looking forward to getting to the table with the employer in the new year. Bargaining with the Government of Nunavut will take place the week of January 13th, 2025.
In the newsletter below there’s also a new membership discount, a way to support postal workers, and information on our sewing gift basket contest winner. For those traveling for the holidays please email NEU’s reception at reception@neu.ca for discount codes.
Finally, please join us online for Arctic Christmas Carols [December 20th, 2024]. It’s an online concert, via Facebook, celebrating Inuit traditions and the holidays, featuring the incredible Alassua Hanson and Mary Itorcheak.
In solidarity,
Jason Rochon
NEU President
Send Your Message to Support Postal Workers
For over 150 years, Canada Post has connected communities across Canada. Now, 55,000 postal workers with CUPW are on strike for a fair deal and to protect this vital public service.
They’re standing against privatization, job losses, and cuts to the mail service you rely on.
Support their struggle to preserve and evolve Canada Post as a public service for all of us.
Send a Message Now
Congratulations to the Municipality of Sanikiluaq and City of Iqaluit Members!
Congratulations to the Municipality of Sanikiluaq Members and Local 06 City of Iqaluit Members for reaching new collective agreements. Local 06 had the highest turnout ever and ratified their new deal in record time. Municipality of Sanikiluaq Members secured a strong collective agreement as well and their stories inspired the bargaining team's determination to secure meaningful workplace protections, rights, and gains.
When unions win everyone wins! Thank you to the bargaining teams for your outstanding work.
Photo above: NEU President Jason Rochon and Iqaluit Mayor Solomon Awa meeting in council chambers on December 12. The Local 06 bargaining team also had an interview with Nunatsiaq News so please keep an eye out for that.
Baffin Phones Big Holiday Discounts
The gift of giving the latest gadgets and accessories just got even better! All NEU members save:
- 10% off all electronics.
- 50% off all screensavers and phone cases.
Show your NEU membership card and save. Don't Have a NEU Membership Card Yet? Email Sheema at reception@neu.ca
The NEU is proud to support local businesses like Baffin Phone who provide products and services to all Nunavut communities online at www.baffinphones.com
If you're in Iqaluit, experience friendly customer service and tech talk at the Baffin Phone, Iqaluit location at 505 Astro Hill in the Frobisher Inn.
Follow Nunavut Employees Union on Facebook for exclusive membership perks and benefits.
A Big NEU Congrats to Sewing Gift Basket Winner Brigette Tunnuq!
Congratulations Brigette, your gift basket awaits you under the NEU office christmas tree which the team decorated in Ottawa Senators colors for NEU President Jason Rochon.
Please stay tuned by following the Nunavut Employees Union on Facebook for more membership contests.
Also congratulations to the winners of the NEU Christmas Colouring Contest!
5 lucky winners were randomly selected who each get a $50 giftcard. Congratulations to the following:
- Rosalee from Apex.
- Darren from Iqaluit.
- John from Taloyoak.
- Tarran from Iqaluit.
- Scarlett from Sanirajak.
- Stay tuned for an Easter Contest.
Thank you to everyone that submitted an entry and the helpers who dropped by. Well done everyone!
The PSAC Social Justice Fund: Helping Out in 2024!
The PSAC Social Justice Fund donated $14 000.00 in 2024 to Ilitaqsiniq Nunavut Literacy Council. The donation will be used for embedded Literacy: Food Preservation project for Women in the Kivalliq Region. The goal of the goal of the Food Preservation Project is to teach participants the processes, techniques, tips and skills in preserving local country foods and natural food resources. The program will also be based on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit practices to create a positive learning experience for everyone.
The PSAC Social Justice Fund has supported the Kugluktuk Women’s Crisis Centre for years and we are happy to announce we donated $7000.00 in 2024. Domestic violence impacts so many directly and indirectly and Women’s Crisis Centre's provide help for dealing with Domestic abuse. NEU believes Shelters and Crisis Centres should be funded more appropriately and we will continue to fight for Family abuse leave in every collective agreement in Nunavut.
In 2024 the PSAC Social Justice Fund also stepped up many other times fighting for food security. One of the ways they helped was by making a $6000.00 donation to the Abluqta Society Food Bank in Baker Lake. Abluqta means "Let us step forward" in Inuktitut. Their mandate is to provide:
- Essential services to the community.
- Opportunities and work experience to Inuit with barriers and disabilities in Baker Lake, Nunavut while providing goods and services to the people of Baker Lake since 2017.
Without volunteers this opportunity to lift people up and make a difference wouldn't be possible. A great New Year's resolution for 2025 is to say, "thank you" to volunteers as often as you can!
Get in contact!
Have questions or want to get involved with Nunavut Employees Union activities? Check out our website or contact us here!