Yukon University and Employees’ Union reach agreement on collective bargaining

Whitehorse – Today, the Yukon University Board of Governors approved a new collective agreement for its unionized employees. The tentative agreement was ratified by the Union membership on March 5th. The new three-year agreement includes 12.75% wage increase for staff, 10.75% increase for faculty and raises the stipend for sessional instructors; it also includes a number of non-financial changes including the addition of a teaching stream within faculty.

“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I want to express thanks to the bargaining teams for their work to reach this agreement. The agreement reaches a balance between the very real increased cost of living that people are experiencing, with the constrained fiscal environment at the national, territorial and university level.”

– Chris Mahar, Chair, Board of Governors

“Despite the challenges the union and the University faced, I believe the agreement is fair and reasonable and reflects the hard work of both the teams. I am thankful that a disruption was avoided, and that our students will be able to finish their semester uninterrupted.”

– Shelagh Rowles, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor

"I welcome the stability this new agreement will bring to students across all Yukon University campuses. During this period of uncertainty, the Student Union worked closely with university leadership and governance bodies to ensure that student concerns were represented and that academic continuity remained a priority. I commend both bargaining teams for reaching a resolution and recognizing the importance of protecting students’ learning and wellbeing.”

– Mandeep Singh, President, Yukon University Student Union

Background

• The collective agreement between Yukon University and Yukon University Employees’ Union expired June 30, 2024
• The new agreement spans 3 years from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027

Table 1. The three-year agreement includes wage increases for faculty and staff