March 31: A Message from William (Bill) Fennell - NEU President: Now is the time to come together
Yesterday we posted the latest update (#7) to neu.ca regarding the status of the Government of Nunavut (GN) Collective Bargaining. I encourage all GN Members to take a moment to read it. While the long-and-short of it is that not much has changed, the PSAC (Public Service Alliance of Canada) North/NEU Bargaining Team wanted to let Members know where we stand. In the update there is a line “But now is not that time” that refers to why the current COVID-19 pandemic has to take precedence over any possible actions the NEU might otherwise consider.
That line and its meaning should hold significance for all NEU Members while Nunavut, Canada and the rest of the world deal with the unprecedented and unchartered challenges the COVID-19 pandemic presents.
I want to take this opportunity to ask all NEU Members to realize that this is not the time to put personal preferences and habits ahead of the good of your fellow Nunavut residents. I ask every NEU Member to take a leadership role by following the preventive measures put forth by the GN and Federal Governments.
To say the NEU and I are extremely unhappy with where the Bargaining with the GN sits and the behavior that led to us to file a Bad Faith Statement of Claim against them in the Nunavut Court of Justice would be an understatement. Yet we must put that aside and support the GN in their to-date successful efforts to prevent a spread of COVID-19 in Nunavut. Starting with the decision to close schools and daycare in Nunavut, the NEU and I have backed and praised the GN’s decisions, putting the health of Nunavut ahead of our ongoing battle to get a fair and equitable agreement for GN employees.
When things get back to normal (and they will) we will continue the fight for our GN Members and look at what the next steps are. For now, the Nunavut Court system is appropriately shut to protect workers and the public.
I am asking all our Members to take the same approach:adjust to the current reality;do the best you can; and remember that what comes first is the health and safety of Nunavut and those that call this great Territory home.
Now is not the time to put yourself ahead of others. Please stay home whenever possible, practise proper hygiene and respect physical distancing when you need to go to the store or elsewhere.
Now is the time to come together. All citizens, all levels of Governments, all NEU Members and the Union itself must put health and the overall welfare of Nunavut first in the face of this pandemic.
(Please see below for more information on COVID-19, the NEU and what you can do to protect yourself and all of Nunavut against this pandemic.
In Solidarity, William (Bill) Fennell President Nunavut Employees Union
Working for those that make Nunavut Work
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The NEU is aware that our Members work and lives are being impacted by the precautionary measures being taken by all levels of Government in reaction to COVID-19 concerns. In Nunavut, the first Territorial-wide impact was felt on March 16, 2020 when the Government of Nunavut announced it was calling for the closure of all schools and daycare across the Territory. We will use this space for Member relevant information and updates and urge everyone in Nunavut to stay informed and follow the health recommendation of Federal, Territorial and Municipal Governments.
- The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is offering NEU Members a "COVID-19 & Your Rights at Work" Webinar (you may also join by telephone instead of the Internet) on April 2, 3 and 4: Login and call-in information and times
- A Message from William (Bill) Fennell - NEU President: Now is the time to come together
- NEU Offices are closed due to public health concerns.
- Our North - Our Future - Our Public Service Please take a moment to view this video and to sign the Our North - Our Future - Our Public Service Pledge. The video is available in English and Inuktitut.
- The NEU applauds and supports the decision of the GN to put people's health and the needed health precautions above other concerns. Please see below for the NEU March 18th press release related to this important and correct decision by the GN.
- Please also read NEU President William (Bill) Fennell's message to Members regarding the North and COVID-19.
- Your Rights at Work (PSAC North).
- Critical services and exceptions to telework (PSAC North).
- Stay Informed:
- Federal Government Information.
- Government of Nunavut Information.
- We suggest you visit your municipal site regularly for any available local information.
Communications at NEU
Working for those that make Nunavut work
