Iqaluit Housing Authority workers rally for fair wages as collective bargaining continues
CBC
The union president called it a rally for solidarity as Iqaluit Housing Authority employees gathered Friday while negotiations are ongoing between the Nunavut Employees Union and the employer.
The union and Iqaluit Housing Authority (IHA) started negotiating a new collective agreement on Oct. 20. Those negotiations continued on Nov. 17 and 19.
In a statement Dec. 1, the union said they made progress on professional development opportunities, language bonuses and family abuse leave but that they were ultimately unable to reach a deal because of differences on wages and other benefits.
Ken Braun, an employee at Friday’s rally, said what they’re asking for isn’t much.
“Just a fair wage to keep up with the cost of living," Braun said.
The IHA workers are responsible for everything from units’ plumbing and repairs to answering phones and booking appointments. Their collective agreement expired on June 30. The last round of negotiations resulted in a strike that lasted more than four months.
“That was one of the reasons why we had a rally today,” union president Jason Rochon said.
“We want to make sure the employer knows that we're not going back, we're going forward and the kind of behavior that we saw the last time, we're not going to see this time and we're not tolerating.”
Rochon said the Nunavut Employees Union is hoping to return to the bargaining table this month or as soon as possible after the holidays.
He said he’s optimistic the parties can come to a fair agreement.
“There's a path to a deal and we see it,” he said. “We just need to continue to communicate.”
IHA did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
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