Nunavut Employees Union signs new collective agreement with Qulliq Energy Corp.

The Nunavut Employees Union has signed a new collective agreement with the Qulliq Energy Corp., covering more than 160 workers.

The four-year deal — which takes effect retroactively to Jan. 1, 2021 — provides a total salary increase of nine per cent by the time it expires Dec. 31, 2024, according to a Dec. 9 news release from the union.

It also includes two new leaves and changes to two special leaves.

The new Inuit cultural leave will provide two paid days for an employee to engage in Inuit cultural pursuits, such as hunting, fishing or harvesting.

The new family abuse leave will provide five days paid and five days unpaid to allow employees to take time to address their health, safety and security.

For special leaves, the new collective agreement allows the accumulation of leaves at an improved rate per hour, matching the GN’s collective agreement. Special leave will also be granted to an employee escorting a member of their immediate family flown out for emergency medical care.

“The NEU was pleased to present a fair deal to our members working for QEC,” union president Jason Rochon said of the new agreement.

“I would like to personally thank the members of the NEU bargaining team for the hard work that led to a deal that was ratified by their coworkers.”

The agreement was ratified by union members Sept. 29 and applies to QEC employees including plant operators, powerline technicians, power systems electricians, heavy equipment operators, technicians and billing clerks.

Government of Nunavut minister responsible for QEC, Craig Simailak, said the “new contract represents fairer benefits for Nunavummiut who work tirelessly to deliver a critical service to our territory.”