November 20th, 2025
Dear Members of the Yukon Employees’ Union,
Workers like you are the backbone of our territory: delivering healthcare, keeping our communities safe, and ensuring that every Yukoner can count on the services they need.
For years, the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU) tried to work with the Liberals and Conservative Yukon Party. The only party that has been willing to work with us on policies that help workers is the Yukon NDP.
Our commitment to workers means protecting what you have worked hard for and giving you the respect you deserve. There are many unknowns regarding this transition to Shäw Kwä’ą, the new health authority, and we have secured guarantees from the Yukon NDP that protects your livelihoods.
You can count on the Yukon NDP to move forward with the transition to Shäw Kwä’ą the right way.
Almost half of YEU's public sector members could be impacted by this transition as workers and all Yukoners will be impacted as users of healthcare.
Yukoners deserve respectful and culturally safe healthcare – and our frontline workers and public servants deserve to have their pensions, benefits and security protected.
That means listening and consulting with Yukoners. And it means protecting workers. Yukon Employees’ Union members can count on the Yukon NDP to deliver on the following commitments:
Job Security and Seamless Transition to Shäw Kwä’ą
For YEU members who choose to transfer to Shäw Kwä’ą, Yukon NDP will ensure:
- Full continuity of pension and benefits;
- No loss of accrued entitlements, continued service, or seniority;
- A smooth and uninterrupted employment transition.
For workers who choose not to transfer to Shäw Kwä’ą, the Yukon NDP will provide flexible transition supports through a Reasonable Job Offer, including:
- Training for a comparable position at the same classification level;
- Salary-protected placement in a new role;
And for workers who choose voluntary departure instead of transferring or remaining within the Yukon Government, the Yukon NDP will ensure access to:
- Early retirement programs;
- Support for re-skilling or returning to school for additional training;
- A voluntary severance (buyout) option.
The Yukon NDP is committed to working with frontline workers, First Nations, and patients.The creation of Shäw Kwä’ą should strengthen our communities rather than divide them.
The Yukon NDP and Yukon Employees’ Union believes in better wages for all workers, treating workers with respect, and healthcare that all Yukoners can depend on.
We know the Yukon NDP will work with frontline workers, First Nation leaders, patients and to move forward in a way that works for everyone – without undoing the important steps that have been made towards reconciliation.
Together, we can build a Yukon where workers are protected, reconciliation is honoured, and everyone can build a good life.
In solidarity,
Justin Lemphers
Yukon Employees’ Union President