The Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU) is extremely critical of the way the Yukon Hospital Corp. (YHC) has handled funds in its pension plan.

“Management has not been transparent regarding the surplus of funds in the YHC Pension Plan,” the YEU said last Thursday. “The union cannot consider them to be trusted partners during this transition to the new health authority.” 

The surplus amounts to $72.9 million, said communications officer Rafsan Jugol.

“The Yukon Employees’ Union urges the Yukon government to investigate the conduct of management at YHC and intervene where necessary,” said YEU president Justin Lemphers.

“Management was aware of the pension surplus last year, and they chose not to disclose that information at the bargaining table.”

The YEU says Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (ATIPP) requests have revealed that a “voting member of the pension committee from the employer’s side was actively working with the employer to curate presentations for that very same committee.”

The YEU further alleges, “We also know that the employer received a recommendation during bargaining to change the plan text to benefit the employer only. Meaning, management would be allowed to take a contribution holiday without employees being afforded the same privilege.”

The YEU is urging Tracy-Anne McPhee, the minister of Health and Social Services, “to intervene by standing up for workers at the Yukon Hospital Corporation and demanding better of its partner in the transition to the new health authority. Workers at the hospital will ultimately be the ones delivering health care to Yukoners. They deserve to be treated with respect and honesty. They deserve better.”

The hospital corporation responded to the YEU’s concerns with a prepared statement.

“Recently, the Yukon Employees’ Union/PSAC has made several unfounded allegations regarding the management of the YHC Pension Plan. This has led to uncertainty among our employees,” the corporation said.

“Every YHC employee, both union and non-union, is a member of the pension plan. The pension is managed according to established processes, procedures, and laws, with oversight by a pension committee that includes voting members from our two unions and support from external experts. The plan fully complies with all regulations and standards.”

Over the past several years, the YHC added, “a growing plan surplus has been reported. All committee members, including YEU/PSAC representatives, have had full access to this information.

“This spring, options related to the implications of the growing surplus were presented to the pension committee. While the committee considered these alternatives, a final conclusion was not reached. During this period, YEU/PSAC actions disrupted the established process, undermining the committee’s fiduciary duty to the plan.

“Any planned actions to address the surplus will not affect the benefits that employees will receive upon retirement.”

The transition to a health authority “is unrelated to these pension issues,” the YHC said.

“Our employees and union partners remain fully engaged and consulted in this process, addressing concerns such as compensation and benefits.

“We encourage our employees to ask questions and learn more about the pension, which is a significant and valuable benefit of their service with Yukon Hospitals.”