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Counter-offer an 'Insult:' UNW
GNWT proposes 14-hour work day, six cent pay increaseSara Wilson Northern News Services Published Friday, February 3, 2012
Government employees were presented with a package including a 14-hour work day and a six cent per hour wage increase in the second round of negotiations with the Union of Northern Workers (UNW). "We realize this is an opening offer," said Todd Parsons, president of the Union of Northern Workers. "But it's an insult to our members, especially considering that inflation was about 3.2 per cent last year." The UNW proposed a 3.25 per cent salary increase per year on a three-year contract, a pay increase that was met with a 0.25 per cent counter offer by the GNWT in the first year of the four year agreement. The second year -- 2013 -- would see a 0.25 per cent increase, 2014 employees would earn one per cent more, and a 1.25 per cent increase in 2015. The reasons behind the minimal increases are to maintain the GNWT's debt ceiling and the troublesome economic conditions on the horizon for the territory and abroad according to the GNWT. "Our initial proposal is conservative," said Sheila Bassi-Kellett, deputy minister of the Department of Human Resources. "We're mindful of sustaining the public service ... but we're also mindful that we've got a job to do in delivering quality programs and service within this tight fiscal environment." An explanation that's not acceptable for the union. "That is reason for concern," Parsons said. "We don't accept that as an acceptable argument not to compensate the territorial public service fairly." The average salary for 2010/11 was $68,156 – the lowest pay scale salary starts at $19 per hour and the highest pay bracket earns $73 per hour. The GNWT has also proposed to increase the operating hours of its departments from the traditional 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Under the new hours, employees would work blocks in the morning and in the afternoon equalling a regular eight-hour work day. The move, according to the government, will allow for flexibility in its programs. The change could see all full-time employees status changed to "shift-worker." "It's very troubling," Parsons said. "It's a significant concession in the union's mind, there are a number of concerns around work-life balance, people are not married to their employer, they are married and committed to their families." The unorthodox change is meant to provide services to the public outside regular business hours. "We need to work that through," Bassi-Kellett said. "We're looking at getting that flexibility so we are able to be respectful of people's work-life balance but also increase the quality of programs and services we deliver." Unregulated rest periods between shifts is being discussed as no current legislation is in place to mandate a break from one shift to another. "Employees that are working extended hours are not getting eight-hours rest," Parsons said. "For example, they are working as a result of call backs or overtime, for as many as 20 or more consecutive hours, they are still expected to report for their regular shift." Redeeming vacation times and a new whistle blower legislation also top the list for Parsons, as the union and GNWT prepare to square-off again Feb. 27 – the third instalment of negotiations -- and the clock is ticking as the current collective agreement expires March 31. Both parties are hopeful an agreement will be reached before the deadline and a labour dispute isn't in the future. "It's too early to determine whether a labour dispute will ensue from this collective bargaining process," Parsons said. "The union is currently meeting with our members to get their input .. ultimately if there is a labour dispute that would be the choice of the UNW membership." GNWT employees have not resorted to strike action in past negotiations.
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