UNW calls for arbitration
Union employing new tactic as ongoing talks with town fail to resolve strike
Karen K. Ho
Northern News Services
Monday, April 27, 2015
HAY RIVER
The collapse of contract negotiations between the Town of Hay River and its unionized staff has the Union of Northern Workers calling for binding arbitration.
"It's obvious that the union and the employer are entrenched in their positions," UNW president Todd Parsons told News/North.
Talks fell apart on April 20 after both sides had agreed to return to the bargaining table on the weekend.
Parsons said the decision to pursue the call for binding arbitration came from members 10 days ago. "Prior to the opportunity to return to regular negotiations we had strategically made the decision to extend this offer to the employer," he said.
Parsons said that as of April 22, no future talks were planned in the 12-week long strike.
Parsons said arbitration could happen very quickly depending on their availability, time needed for presentation of arguments, and written agreement.
"People could return to work within days," he said. For arbitration to happen, the city has to agree to participate. "It cannot be imposed," Parsons said.
But Hay River Mayor Andrew Cassidy said that the town can't respond to the UNW until after their regular scheduled council meeting on Monday, April 27, where the question of arbitration will be discussed in camera. "I think there's pros and cons and council will want to have a discussion about them before making a decision," he said.
Cassidy said before talks broke down, he was pretty optimistic the Town of Hay River and its unionized staff would be able to reach a deal. He said he is still willing to continue negotiations, calling it an option that wasn't fully exhausted.
"Within a half percentage in wages, we could have continued negotiations to reach a fair deal," he said. "The earliest we'd respond to the union would be Monday evening."
Aside from lost wages, the strike has already become a concern on the greater business community of Hay River. The town was scheduled to host the annual general meeting of the NWT Association of Communities from May 7 to 10.
On April 15 the NWT Association of Communities announced that it would be moving its AGM to facilities owned by K'atl'odeeche First Nation on the Hay River Reserve due to the ongoing strike. The event will immediately follow the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs Good Governance Conference on May 6 and 7. On April 13 the UNW issued a press release warning of potential economic losses due to the strike and the unwillingness of many union members to cross picket lines.
Parsons stressed this new move by the NWTAC would not change the union's plan of action. "We will picket wherever it occurs."
- With files from Sarah Ladik
