by Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 01/98) - The president of the Union of Northern Workers is optimistic about reaching a collective agreement with the GNWT -- as long as pay equity isn't allowed to get in the way.

"The two sides are very close to a viable settlement if we could set aside pay equity," Jackie Simpson said. "Our members are determined to see us keep these two very distinct issues separate."

After a two-month break, the two sides resume talks Monday for 10 ten days of negotiations.

The UNW's two-year collective agreement expired a month ago but terms and conditions continue from the old agreement continue until a new deal is reached.

The union estimates the GNWT owes present and past employees $70 million plus interest for pay equity. The GNWT has offered $40 million.

The union wants the issue settled under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

"We are concerned that, by attempting to force the UNW to accept a settlement that violates the Canadian Human Rights Act, the GNWT is bargaining in bad faith," Simpson said.

"We cannot extinguish members rights by accepting the GNWT's pay-equity settlement or by accepting their new pay-evaluation system."

The pay-equity issue arose in 1989 with a complaint with the commission on behalf of the UNW. GNWT challenged the complaint and lost.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Jake Ootes agrees that a contract and pay equity should be settled separately. In an April 20 letter to Finance Minister John Todd, Ootes said there are fed contentious issues raised by the contract.

Dealing with all issues at one table may be "pushing the UNW towards a strike vote unnecessarily," Ootes wrote.