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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The GNWT and Union of Northern Workers failed to reach an agreement during collective bargaining meetings last week, with talks breaking off late Thursday afternoon.

Union of Northern Workers President Todd Parsons addresses a crowd of 60-70 union members and supporters outside the legislative assembly last month. - Galit Rodan/NNSL photo

Both sides will now seek a mediator, but union president Todd Parsons said a strike is a strong possibility.

"There was no meaningful headway that was achieved this last round of collective bargaining," he said. "We will be asking our membership to support a strike vote as we lead into the mediation process."

In the government's final proposal for a four-year collective agreement, it offered to increase pay rates by 0.75 per cent on April 1, by 1.25 per cent in 2013, by 1.75 per cent in 2014 and 2.25 per cent in 2015.

In the union's proposal from Feb. 29, it asked for a 2.75-per-cent increase on April 1, followed by a three-per-cent increase in 2013.

"The government's wage proposals fell well below the rate of inflation," Parsons said. "When you consider that inflation over the last 12 months was four per cent, that doesn't even make up the first three years of the collective agreement that they're proposing."

The union president said the issue of whistleblower protection was another area both parties could not agree on.

In the union's proposal from Feb. 29, it asked that employees not be disciplined or penalized in any way if they expose wrongful acts, including measures that would cause a significant waste of public money, endanger public health or safety and negatively impact the environment.

"What I'm concerned about for my members is we've already waited more than two decades for the government to put whistleblower legislation into affect. My concern is with protecting my members today and we can't wait any longer," Parsons said. "Why wouldn't the employer be interested in whistleblower protection?"

Both parties continued to disagree on mandatory rest periods, equal treatment of shift workers, giving priority to casual workers residing in the NWT and the ability to bank overtime. They also disagreed on increases to the Northern allowance – the GNWT offered an increase of $50 in 2014, while the union proposed an increase to the transportation factor by $250 in 2013.

The Union of Northern Workers represents about 3,700 government workers. Its collective agreement was set to expire on March 31, but will now stay in affect until both parties reach an agreement or a strike occurs.

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