Members of the bargaining team representing Yukon government workers are preparing for contract ratification meetings set for Sunday through Thursday of next week.

Held in every Yukon community and highway camp, the meetings enable members to learn about proposed contract changes in the tentative agreement reached in June. The details are not yet public.

Steve Geick, the president of the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU), is encouraging members to plan to vote.

“Attending a ratification meeting is important,” he said Thursday. “Ask questions; find out what went into the finished product.

“We know members are worried about some big issues – this is the time to be part of the democratic process of collective bargaining.”

The wildfires situation is being watched closely, and the union has a contingency plan in place if highways are closed.

Members are asked to watch for email updates in case of closures or evacuation notices (see p. 4 for an update on the fires).

The collective agreement negotiated between the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Yukon government will affect approximately 3,700 unionized workers, members of the YEU.

Once ratified, the contract takes effect immediately, with some retroactive impacts.