[Canada] Union files policy grievance against city's use of contract workers

In Canada, the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU) has filed a policy grievance against the City of Whitehorse. It alleges that the municipality’s use of external contractors for building inspections is leading to contractors being paid nearly double the hourly wage of city staff, HRD reports.

According to Yukon News reporting, Justin Lemphers - YEU president - said, “The issue that we've got is that, from the union point of view, the contracting out of bargaining unit work is a violation of the collective agreement.” 

The City began hiring contract labour in the summer of 2024 to address a backlog in building permits. The move was reportedly recommended by the city’s Housing and Land Development Advisory Committee to prevent future delays. But the YEU claims that the continued use of contractors undermines the collective agreement and the principle of equal pay for equal work.

In May, nearly 1,000 workers at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) learned that their contracts wouldn’t be renewed.

Invoices the union shared with Yukon News reveal that a contractor from Kelowna was paid $75 per hour, while another contract with a Clearwater contractor set the hourly rate at $90, plus travel and accommodation expenses. 

By contrast, city-employed building officials earn between $45.65 and $59.84 per hour and receive a comprehensive benefits package. Currently, the City employs six full-time building officials, with two positions vacant. It is actively recruiting to fill those roles.

City spokesperson Guin Lalena reportedly said that Whitehorse expects to reduce its reliance on contractors once the vacancies are filled. However, contract services may still be used as surge protection or when external expertise is needed, according to Yukon News. 

The City did not disclose exact contractor pay, citing proprietary reasons, but it confirmed that three firms are currently contracted on an as-needed basis.

“The union is open to reaching a resolution with the employer that protects the interests of Whitehorse municipal workers who keep the City running,” a spokesperson said in an email, according to the report.

Source: HRD

(Links and quotes via original reporting)

In Canada, the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU) has filed a policy grievance against the City of Whitehorse. It alleges that the municipality’s use of external contractors for building inspections is leading to contractors being paid nearly double the hourly wage of city staff, HRD reports.

According to Yukon News reporting, Justin Lemphers - YEU president - said, “The issue that we've got is that, from the union point of view, the contracting out of bargaining unit work is a violation of the collective agreement.” 

The City began hiring contract labour in the summer of 2024 to address a backlog in building permits. The move was reportedly recommended by the city’s Housing and Land Development Advisory Committee to prevent future delays. But the YEU claims that the continued use of contractors undermines the collective agreement and the principle of equal pay for equal work.

In May, nearly 1,000 workers at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) learned that their contracts wouldn’t be renewed.

Invoices the union shared with Yukon News reveal that a contractor from Kelowna was paid $75 per hour, while another contract with a Clearwater contractor set the hourly rate at $90, plus travel and accommodation expenses. 

By contrast, city-employed building officials earn between $45.65 and $59.84 per hour and receive a comprehensive benefits package. Currently, the City employs six full-time building officials, with two positions vacant. It is actively recruiting to fill those roles.

City spokesperson Guin Lalena reportedly said that Whitehorse expects to reduce its reliance on contractors once the vacancies are filled. However, contract services may still be used as surge protection or when external expertise is needed, according to Yukon News. 

The City did not disclose exact contractor pay, citing proprietary reasons, but it confirmed that three firms are currently contracted on an as-needed basis.

“The union is open to reaching a resolution with the employer that protects the interests of Whitehorse municipal workers who keep the City running,” a spokesperson said in an email, according to the report.

Source: HRD

(Links and quotes via original reporting)