IQALUIT, Nunavut (August 18, 2017) –The Government of Nunavut (GN) and the Nunavut Employees Union (NEU) ratified a new four-year collective agreement that covers unionized employees of Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC).
“This is a significant achievement for QEC and its employees,” said Johnny Mike, Minister responsible for QEC. “This agreement recognizes the important role that QEC employees play in providing a safe and reliable electricity supply to the territory, while enabling the corporation to focus on its long-term growth and ensuring its continued operational stability.”
The new agreement, which is retroactive to January 1, 2017, and ends on December 31, 2020, includes: a wage increase of two per cent for 2017, one per cent for 2018 and 2019, and two per cent for 2020.
"This four-year agreement is good for both sides who worked extremely hard to come to terms quickly. I am very pleased with the outcome," said Keith Peterson, Minister responsible for the Public Service Act.
Other highlights of the agreement include new contract provisions such as an increase for special leave credits from four to five days per year, incorporation of new categories of special leave, compensation for employees who are consulted by telephone or email after regular hours, and expedited pre-grievance dispute resolution. Following a collaborative bargaining process between the GN and the NEU in June 2017, QEC’s union members voted in favour of the agreement.
Details of the new collective agreement will be posted on www.qec.nu.ca/about and at www.gov.nu.ca/finance/information/collective-agreements as soon as available.