Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 08/99) - The territorial government's latest offer to settle the pay equity complaint provides no compensation for casual employees, and that irks some employees who have worked as casuals.

On Dec. 17 the GNWT sent out letters to employees stating how much they stand to collect under a pay equity offer the government made to PSAC two days earlier.

The letter Cheryl Inward-Jones received indicated she was owed $320. A registered nurse, Inward-Jones has worked for the government since 1994. She is also treasurer of the UNW local which represents hospital workers.

Though it may have changed in this latest offer, a schedule presented by the government as part of a collective bargaining offer made last spring indicated a full-time nurse who has worked since 1994 would collect about $7,500.

When Inward-Jones dialled up a number the letter stated employees could call for information, she was told casual workers were not eligible for pay equity compensation. Inward-Jones worked as a casual up until January, 1997.

"I feel like I've been discriminated against twice," said the mother of two. She said a lot of other nurses put in time as casual employees before being hired as permanent staff and feel the same way.

Director of labour relations for the government, Herb Hunt confirmed the December offer does not provide compensation for casual employees.

Hunt said no one could work for the government for three years as a casual employee.

"If there was a break in employment, then it would be a break in employment for legitimate reasons," said Hunt. He was referring to the provision in the collective agreement limiting casual employment to four months.

To allow casual employees a chance to work for the government again, they can be re-hired after a 10-day break in employment.

"There would be no break in employment for the purposes of avoiding the obligations under the current agreement. You just don't get away with that," Hunt said, adding, there's no way any employee could work for three years as a casual.

During the time she worked as a casual, Inward-Jones said she worked about as many hours -- sometimes less, sometimes more -- as a full-time nurse, but without many of the benefits.

"If they took away casuals the (hospital) wouldn't be able to run," she said, adding her ward casuals account for about one third of the total hours worked.

PSAC has yet to respond to the offer.