Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 24/05) - Do you take a day off in the sun, or do you go for the extra money? Many workers in the NWT faced that decision on Aboriginal Day.

Aboriginal dancers performed during Aboriginal Day celebrations in Yellowknife

Convenience stores and restaurants were open all through the city. Banks were closed, but the Cash Store on 50th Street was open as usual.

On a general holiday, workers receive a time and a half bonus. Multiply their hourly pay by 1.5 and you can see their motivation.

The Labour Standards Act applies to every hourly employee except employees under federal jurisdiction. Under the Act, you receive the bonus for working a general holiday.

To get the extra pay, you have to work 30 days in the last 12 months, and show up for your scheduled shift the day before and after the holiday.

"I didn't mind working at all, because of the time and a half," said Molly Laity at Mark's Work Wearhouse. There were only four staff on at Mark's, instead of the usual six.

Construction season is short in the NWT and every day counts. Allan Shortt had no problem getting a full crew at the new federal building on Franklin Avenue.

"They were given the choice. A few guys took the day off, but with the short season, we usually end up working," said Shortt.

There are 50 people working on the building and 40 of them reported for work.

Most of the stores on Old Airport Road were open. Wal-Mart was staffed with what they call "peak time employees," part-timers at other businesses.

By scheduling the lower paid "peak time" employees, Wal-Mart saved money on time and a half.

"We treated it like a weekend. A lot of our peak timers have the time available today. Some people requested it off and they got it off," said Vince Berezowski, the store manager.

Berezowski has been at the Yellowknife Wal-Mart since October 2004, and Aboriginal Day caught him by surprise. Wal-mart closed early, at 6 p.m. and he said, "I'm not sure if we could staff a full day with just the peak timers."

When you own the business, it's an easy decision: pay employees to work the holiday or work it yourself.

Abdullah Al-Mahamud owns Winks Gas Bar at the corner of Forrest Drive and Franklin Avenue and decided to work.

The bottom line wasn't his only concern. "The employees need some days off," said Al-Mahamud.