Photo of our recent visit to Kugaaruk above.
Dear NEU Member,
Welcome to the July 2024 edition of our new Nunavut Employees Union (NEU) Email Newsletter.
Let me begin by expressing the NEU's deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and coworkers of one of our members who was killed recently in a work-related incident. It’s a fair expectation that when we send our loved ones to work at the beginning of the day we should be expecting them home. We must continue to work to prevent worker deaths.
We’re looking at some of the challenges workers and their families across Nunavut face and what needs to be done to address those challenges in this newsletter. Below there are also ways for you to take action and updates on member benefit booking codes.
We’re also looking back on June and some of the great things we accomplished together.
A huge thank you to our members who worked in schools this year and all our members. It’s summer and I hope you have a great one.
In solidarity,
Jason Rochon
NEU President
We Need Text to 9-1-1
Throughout the North deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, and speech-impaired (DHHSI) residents are at heightened risk during emergencies. Text to 9-1-1 is available in some capacity in every province, but not in the Territories. This is a big problem as it’s also the most effective method for contacting emergency services.
In Nunavut we have to use four different phone numbers to reach fire, ambulance, bylaw, or police services. Implementing a centralized 9-1-1 system and text to 9-1-1 service is desperately needed here.
PSAC Members have already sent hundreds of postcards to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and territorial governments calling for text to 9-1-1. Join them now!
Fighting Food Insecurity with the Illunnata Campaign
Help call on the Federal Government to invest in solutions to food insecurity below. There’s no time to waste: 79% of children in Nunavut live in food insecure households and 76% of Inuit aged 15 and over experience food insecurity.
The lasting effects of colonialism on northern food insecurity are compounded by climate change, household financial hardship and inadequate food supply distribution systems. Sea ice, snow, and wildlife habitats are changing rapidly. Present policies that address northern food insecurity focus on the cost of food rather than root causes such as the cost of living, poverty, and access to country foods.
Solutions must be Indigenous and community-led, informed by Indigenous knowledge, foster resilient northern food systems, and support local economic development. The Illunnata campaign stands in solidarity with PSAC / NEU members and their communities to demand better food systems.
Send a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau, demanding an end to northern food insecurity.
PSAC / NEU and Government of Nunavut National Bargaining Conference
Last month we had a very productive GN Bargaining Conference with participation from around the territory. At this motivating and educational event we came up with a list of bargaining priorities, elected a bargaining team, and had our first bargaining team meeting. PSAC NEVP Alex Silas joined us via a video message, and PSAC North REVP Josee-Anne Spirito was there in person to give closing remarks.
CBC Igalaaq interviewed us and the conference also included a mobilization workshop and a surprise visit from 2 members from the IHA 137 day picket line.
We stand ready to support our bargaining team! Are you ready for better?
Recent Collective Agreements
Our congratulations go out to our members at Cambridge Bay Housing and our members at the Baker Lake Housing Authority. Both ratified new collective agreements last month!
Input Call Coming Soon for Qulliq Energy Corporation
Members will be asked to forward collective bargaining proposals to the NEU as part of the Qulliq Energy Corporation input call. It will greatly assist the bargaining process if members submit all the relevant background information to the proposals including an explanation of the problems, if any, encountered with the current provisions of the agreement, and the source and justification for any new proposals. Please stay tuned for more details.
National Indigenous History Month
June was National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Metis. We continue to encourage Canadians to take time to deepen their understanding of Indigenous Peoples and our collective past. Knowing and acknowledging the past and its ongoing impacts is a vital step toward healing and Reconciliation.
As part of the celebrations, Alassua Hanson & Annie Qimirpik honoured us with a powerful performance (pictured) at the PSAC Triennial Convention which you can watch on the PSAC - AFPC Facebook page.
As we talked about in an earlier segment of this newsletter, there is still a lot of work to do when it comes to Reconciliation and food security, among many other issues.
Pride Month and Standing Against Hate
June was Pride Month, when the world's LGBTQIA+ communities come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves. Pride gatherings are rooted in the arduous history of minority groups who have struggled for decades to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are.
You can see photos from pride month or check out our short video on our Facebook page.
In a time when we are seeing a concerning rise in hatred it’s more important than ever that we come together to support LGBTQIA+ communities and to oppose hate.
Benefits for Members
Regarding member benefits, there have been some changes with the booking codes:
- For Canadian North the new code is EMP24.
- For CalmAir, members should phone CalmAir reservations at 1-800-839-2256, option #1, and give the agent the NEU number 700028.
Get in contact!
Have questions or want to get involved with Nunavut Employees Union activities? Contact us!
You can also: