Iqaluit Housing Authority, striking union meet for first time in four months
Unionized workers at public housing authority have been on strike since March 17
Kenny Enuaraq, a second-year apprentice with the Iqaluit Housing Authority, who has been striking since March, says the housing authority doesn’t recognize Inuit workers and doesn’t compensate them fairly for their work. (Photo by Meral Jamal)
The Iqaluit Housing Authority and representatives of its striking workers met for the first time in four months Friday in a bid to resolve the strike that started in March.
Nunavut Employees Union president Jason Rochon, pictured in front of striking workers outside the Iqaluit Housing Authority office in Iqaluit Friday, says inclusion of Inuktitut in bilingual bonuses offered to workers is necessary considering many of the older public housing tenants the authority serves appreciate engaging with Inuktitut-speaking staff. (Photo by Meral Jamal)
Two members of the Nunavut Employees Union bargaining team and a representative of the housing authority were scheduled to meet with a federally appointed mediator in Ottawa on Friday, according to a news release the union issued Thursday night.
It’s the first time both sides in the strike have met in person since the strike began.
Talks aimed at negotiating a new contract for the housing authority’s unionized workers stalled last August over wages and benefits. The workers have been without a new contract since June 30, 2020.
Thirteen of the 23 housing authority workers began striking for improved conditions, including wages that keep pace with inflation and housing benefits on March 17. The day after the strike began, the housing authority formally locked the workers out.
Union president Jason Rochon, who was on the ground with workers in Iqaluit Friday, said he is “optimistic” about the meeting in Ottawa, especially since the union has negotiated new collective agreements for municipal workers in other communities such as Baker Lake and Arviat during the past four months.
“There’s been so much resistance from the [Iqaluit Housing Authority] and everybody knows that the union has been willing to get a deal from day one,” he said in an interview.
“I think today is a good start … [our union has] done all the work, now the employer has to show that they care and that they’re willing to do the right thing.”
The Iqaluit Housing Authority did not respond Friday to Nunatsiaq News’ request for comment about the meeting.
As part of the mediation, Rochon said the union is now asking for a 2.5 per cent increase in wages retroactively considering that “high inflation across Nunavut continues.”
As well, the NEU is seeking inclusion of Inuktitut in bonuses provided to bilingual employees, which Rochon said is necessary considering many of the older tenants the housing authority serves appreciate engaging with Inuktitut-speaking employees.
“It’s great when Indigenous languages are being used in workplaces because people are seeing that,” Rochon said.
“Workers should be valued and treated fairly for using their language. We should never be afraid to compensate people for speaking Inuktitut.”
Geela Kango, one of the workers who has been striking since March, said she is “excited and can’t wait to hear about the outcome of the meeting” in Ottawa.
Kango, a tenant relations officer with the authority, said she hopes it leads to fair wages and equal benefits for workers in Iqaluit.
“The thing is, we’re all locals,” she said.
“And it’s very sad that we can’t get benefits everyone else gets — the non-Inuit [from the south].”
Striking workers and supporters picket outside the Iqaluit Housing Authority office near the Iqaluit airport Friday. The workers have been striking for a new collective agreement since March 17. (Photo by Meral Jamal)
Kenny Enuaraq, a second-year apprentice with the authority, said he “doesn’t expect anything” out of the meeting in Ottawa but, like Kango, he hopes the housing authority recognizes Inuit workers and compensates them fairly for their work.
“[The housing authority] advertises jobs online to southerners and the benefits change — the southerners get vacation travel and housing provided,” he said.
“The authority should do the same for the locals … with the same certification, with the same education, because we do the same job here.”
Rochon, who said he is aware the housing authority is continuing to use replacement workers even as the meeting takes place in Ottawa, hopes the employer “is willing to do the right thing.”
“It’s really sad that we have to force people to care and we have to force [authorities] to do the right thing,” he said.
“There’s a lot of employers [in Nunavut] that need to do a lot better.”
The replacement workers are doing a great job. To be honest I am happy with things staying the way they are indefinitely.
If you go on strike, you need to disrupt. The port worker strike in Vancouver has been a major disruption of goods flowing in and out of our country. A few housing workers going on strike, though, just won’t do it. How many of those on strike are fully certified in their trade? How many are just being coerced into this by union bullies spewing propaganda? This has gone on for over 4 months and no disruption is service. This is what a failed strike looks like.
Asking about their qualifications I’m sure you you would if it was southern workers. No disruption in service in your apartment because the employer uses scab workers. Its not right. Funny my apartment and calls are getting zero help since the strike started.
I went to the picket line today to say hi to the guys. The Union didn’t seem to be bullying them. The workers were happy to answer any of our questions. It sounded like the bullying was coming from the employer. Go talk to the workers instead of making wild unfounded allegations.
I really think most of those workers, particularly the trades workers, need to take a step back and ask themselves if they really truly think that their services are equivalent to southern journeyman workers? I think us housing tenants know the answer to that. And those same workers should ask themselves, do i really treat my employer well by only taking 15 minute coffee breaks, and not calling in sick when indeed i am not sick. And when i go to do a job, do i do it so well that i don’t get called back to fix it again because i did not do it right the first time. And Rochon knows damn well that the current agreement already contains a clause that gives the workers a bilingual bonus. He is so obviously zeroing in on this being an issue when it is not an issue, because he knows that anything to do with race or language is a hot topic that riles up the public…. As usual, its all smoke and mirrors that smart members of the public can see right past.
I can’t believe that this is what the strike is about. The housing authority and its board need to catch up to the rest of the workforce. Who are these people? Are they getting kick backs from the replacement workers?
I find it interesting that Mr Rachon spoke of socializing and speaking Inuktitut while the two staff members spoke of working.
Staff want to be compensated for work not socializing.
IHA has been out of touch for years.
Who is on the Iqlauit Housing Authority Board of Directors?
Is the Iqaluit Housing Authority a non-profit association, an entity contoled by Nunavut Housing Corporation, or something else?
When is the next Annual General Meeting of the Iqaluit Housing Authority?
Where will that meeting be held?
Who can attend that meeting?
Who can stand for office?
What is the nominating proceedure?
Who is elegible to vote at that meeting?
We never learned anything about the Nunavut Housing Authority when I was in school, but then, we didn’t learn much else about Nunavut, either.
So many questions, so little information.
Great questions but don’t bother going looking for that info. It seems to be a secret. I’m not sure why none of that info is accessible.
Mostly you’re looking for the Order issued by the territorial Minister of Housing under section 45(1) of the Nunavut Housing Corporation Act, which created and governs the Iqaluit Housing Authority. You’ll also need to read section 45 of NHC Act. Territorial Orders are public, this one is here: http://www.nunavutlegislation.ca/en/consolidated-law/iqaluit-housing-authority-order-consolidation
Main answer is the Minister of NHC appoints IHA members (board) and approves IHA bylaws (rules).
We are talking about 13 local workers. How hard is it to treat them fairly?
What is fairness here? That’s not clear or settled.
The buffet of shallow quips by union members trying to sway opinion with little buzz words and simplicities is always an amusing part of these stories.
….or replace them? ?
Yet another new manager but the same old story.
I’m on the side of IHA in this strike, but you’re right. IHA goes through more Housing & Maintenance Managers (at least since Sean left) than any other Housing Association in Nunavut. It’s embarrassing that they can’t keep any Manager long term. NHC is to blame. Their funding for Housing Associations and Regional Offices is atrociously inadequate. IHA needs not just a Housing and Maintenance Manager, but also a Project Manager to manage the larger M&I & restoration projects, along with sealift orders and procurement.
Thanks for your comments, Umingmak. There is some truth in what you say. However, funding is not the issue with LHAs, whether in Iqaluit or in the Hamlets. Nonetheless there are problems – inadequate and misplaced support for one; too much control in the hands of the LHAs another.
Turnover among Housing Managers comes down to poor recruitment (by the LHA board and NHC staff) and poor support for the managers. Managers have to battle staff, the LHA Board, and in many instances NHC – while receiving inadequate support. Though immensely interesting and stimulating, the Housing Manager position is challenging enough without those headwinds.
Flying up replacement workers, paying them, providing them with housing and food… This must be costing the Iqaluit Housing Authority a lot of money. Where are they getting that money from? It certainly must be costing IHA a lot more than what the employees are asking for.
Lorne does.for.Housing what he does for.Rankin = nothing
Poor, poor leadership by the union on this one. Should never have lasted this long. The union taking a “no concessions” approach earlier on was not a good strategy , particularly in light of the unrealistic % increases they were hoping for. I feel sorry for the workers who have bought into this craziness by the union. They are not only losing money by being on strike. Every time they go public they are showing other employers that as an employee they would present a risk if ever they were looking for a job. Plus, while off the job, any skills they had are getting dull. These workers, with their very limited knowledge of the collective bargaining process, are at the mercy of the union leadership, and it appears they may be unknowingly being used as pawns. Very unfortunate situation for both sides. This strike could be a good example for inclusion in text books for a union executives instruction of how not to do the collective bargaining. Will be glad when it is over so those individuals can get back to work and we don’t have to keep reading/hearing about it in the media. By now the workers have lost way more $, while on strike, than any future gains they would have made should their unrealistic % terms have been agreed upon. Sad!
I’m on the picket line. We have made tons of offers we have moved on everything. It’s true we don’t want to see concessions. You can take concessions if you want. We don’t want them. But we are willing to negotiate. IHA hasn’t been interested in negotiating. Not sure where you get your info but you’re far from accurate.
I am firmly on the side of IHA here. These workers are largely incompetent – little more than unskilled labourers. They take long breaks (think The Jerry Cans GN Song) and spend half the day driving around aimlessly. They don’t deserve raises or special benefits.
The Union should be trying to bring the people together, not split them by giving out language bonuses, that just divides workers by pay because of nothing important, who cares if some people like when some people speak the language, thats not a good reason to pay someone more then the next guy/girl, the official language in Canada is English.
I kind of lean toward.the same sentiment, but you need.to know there are 4 official languages in Nunavut, 2 in Canada.
Methinks it’s time for the membership to get rid of this union.
What benefit has PSAC gained for the members?
None. The members have lost more in wages than they will gain with a new contract,
Unions are in it for the executive only.
Open your eyes boys.
Overtime, sick leave, parental leave, bereavement leave, LOWP, annual, vacation, weekends, holidays, family abuse leave, IQ or Harvesting days, overtime, pension, wage increases, retro, lump sum and signing bonus, bilingual bonus, dental, vision, health and safety in the workplace, solved pay issues, solve work place issues, representation, weekends, NNA, housing allowances, medical leave, protection, stat holidays, just to name a few,
too bad it’s not other GN departments, we could easily let them strike for a year and not notice.