The Yukon government and labour unions representing health care workers have resolved a major impasse over the territory’s planned health authority.

The NDP said Wednesday afternoon that has occurred thanks to negotiations spurred by party leader Kate White.

But the government has countered that it’s “disappointing to see the NDP try to downplay the work of important partners like the Health Transformation Advisory Committee and the Chiefs Committee on Health” in resolving any issues stemming from the authority’s creation.

The terms of the resolution are summarized in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed Wednesday.

The MOU sets clear expectations for YG and the Yukon Hospital Corp. (YHC) around collective bargaining, the transfer of health care workers to the new health authority, as well as workers’ pay, benefits, and pensions.

“The MOU caps weeks of close consultation between the Yukon NDP and union leadership,” the NDP said.

“This is a win for health care workers in the Yukon,” White added.

“We told the Liberals they needed to work with affected unions to sign an MOU because the Health Authority Act didn’t clearly spell out how workers’ pensions and benefits would be protected, or how to deal with other labour relations issues.” she added.

“I’m extremely grateful and impressed with the determination and strength shown by Kate White and the Yukon NDP caucus,” said Teresa Acheson, the Yukon Federation of Labour’s president.

“They stand with workers. They worked hard with union staff and representatives dedicated to protecting health care workers as we transition to a health authority.”

Stéphanie Montreuil is the head of public affairs at the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), which represents registered nurses employed by the YHC. She also thanked White for her advocacy.

“PIPSC is proud of what we’ve been able to achieve in working with government and other unions to provide much needed assurance and stability to Yukon healthcare workers,” said Montreuil.

“We want to thank Kate White and the Yukon NDP for their tenacity in advocating on behalf of these essential workers.

“This demonstrates what can be accomplished through meaningful collaboration, and we are hopeful for what this means for workers as we move towards a health authority in the territory,” Montreuil added.

Yukon Employees Union (YEU) president Justin Lemphers said the union is “grateful for the dedication of the team at the Yukon NDP and Leader Kate White, who advocated for workers and workers’ rights and helped to facilitate getting us to this MOU.

“There is still a lot of work to be done,” Lemphers added.

“But this MOU leaves us hopeful that we can meet future challenges.

“And, we are confident that it will position us well to protect and advance the interests of union members who will be affected by the transition to the new health authority.”

Jordan Owens, the director of cabinet communication, said later Wednesday the Liberal caucus “is pleased that after ongoing engagement (including engagement that predated the tabling of this legislation), and following vocal support and direct outreach from the Chiefs Committee on Health and the Health Transformation Advisory Committee, MLA White was able to see a path forward to support the Health Authority Act.”

As Health Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee has stated repeatedly, including in a recent opinion column published in the Star, the Canada Labour Code guarantees successorship rights exist for all bargaining unit employees, Owens pointed out.

Sandy Silver, the minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, has also stressed that point in the legislature this spring.

“This means that even without an MOU between the Yukon government and unions, employees currently represented by a union will continue to be represented – and will port their existing, negotiated collective agreements, along with their corresponding pension and comprehensive benefits packages – over to the new health authority.

“Since signing the MOU let the unions allow MLA White to support the Health Authority Act at committee of the whole, we were more than happy to do so.”

Grand Chief Peter Johnston of the Council of Yukon First Nations once said, “For far too long, Yukon First Nations have endured systemic racism within the health system, and unacceptable health inequities persist as a result. This legislation is a necessary first and foundational step to improve outcomes for all.”

Owens added, “If advancing Yukon’s health care system to address systemic racism wasn’t enough for Kate White support this legislation, I’m at least glad that our work with the unions allowed her to do so.”