The Government of Yukon appreciates the valuable contributions of the Conciliation Board in its efforts to recommend monetary terms for a renewed collective agreement between the Government of Yukon and the Yukon Association of Education Professionals (YAEP).
In October, YAEP requested the establishment of the Conciliation Board to recommend the monetary terms for a renewed collective agreement. The Conciliation Board was made up of three decision-makers: a representative nominated by YAEP, a representative nominated by the Government of Yukon and an independent Chair appointed by those representatives. The Conciliation Board met with and heard submissions from YAEP and the Government of Yukon over multiple days in early December.
On December 16, the three-member panel made unanimous recommendations on the monetary terms of a collective agreement.
The recommendations provide educators with a 14.15 per cent wage increase over three years (including an 8.15 per cent increase for the current school year), an additional 10 per cent increase to Teachers on Call and an additional 7 per cent increase to Education Assistants. This is in addition to the rural retention allowances that the Government of Yukon proposed to assist with the retention and recruitment of educators in rural areas. This would keep Yukon educators among the highest paid Canada.
These recommendations exceed the Government of Yukon's previous offer and would require financial restructuring of the Government of Yukon's budget. However, the government respects that the three-person panel, including YAEP's representative, came to the recommendations unanimously, after meeting with YAEP and the government over multiple days and reviewing and considering all information from both the government and YAEP. The Government of Yukon also recognizes the critical importance of maintaining continuity for school-aged children and their families.
After thorough review of all considerations, the Government of Yukon is willing to accept the recommended monetary terms as a final package for a renewed collective agreement. Government has communicated to YAEP that its acceptance is conditional on a collective agreement being achieved without job action, which would unduly impact Yukon children and families.
We look forward to hearing from YAEP regarding the recommendations in the near future and will communicate further once YAEP has made its decision known.
Throughout the contract negotiation process, the Yukon government has acted to secure a new collective agreement that demonstrates Yukoners' appreciation for the valuable role that educators play in our communities, keeps Yukon educators among the highest-paid in Canada and accounts for the current fiscal situation impacting many Canadians. This remains the position of Government.
The current collective agreement expired on June 30, 2024.
- Representatives from the Government of Yukon met with representatives from the Yukon Association of Education Professionals (YAEP) in September and October 2024 to establish a renewed collective agreement, ending when the union requested the assistance of a conciliation board.
- Under the Education Labour Relations Act, when a deadlock has been determined in collective bargaining, YAEP is able to select either binding arbitration or conciliation. YAEP requested the establishment of the Conciliation Board to recommend the monetary terms for a renewed collective agreement.
- The Conciliation Board was made up of three decision-makers: a representative nominated by YAEP, a representative nominated by the Government of Yukon and an independent Chair appointed by those representatives.
- The Conciliation Board met with and heard submissions from the Government of Yukon and YAEP over multiple days in early December 2024.
- In negotiations, the Government of Yukon offered wage and other monetary improvements equivalent to just above 12 per cent over three years, as well as a 40 per cent increase in wages for teachers on call and a $2,000 annual allowance for educational assistants.
- In contrast, YAEP was seeking wage increases equal to 24 per cent over three years, and other monetary improvements equal to an additional 5 per cent, for a total of 29 per cent over three years.
