Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 22/99) - The NWT is currently without a key advocate, says Yellowknife resident Cameron Aindow.

Aindow, burned by electricity in 1989 while working for the Northwest Territories Power Corp., is hoping the Workers' Compensation Board can find a new workers' advisor as soon as possible.

There is currently no one in the position since the board opted not to renew a contract with K. Tompkins and Associates. Owner Kate Tompkins could not be reached for comment.

Aindow positioned himself on Franklin Avenue last Thursday morning to raise awareness about the current lack of an advocate. He had a sign, calling for Tompkins' contract renewal, attached to his wheelchair.

"The workers' advisor is a complete necessity," he said.

The workers' advisor helps with claims, assists injured workers with legislation and policy and also represents workers in reviews or appeal of a board decision. The board said the advisor is an arm's length position.

Aindow said he has been trying to get more answers about his claim amount and what he called a discrepancy in the amount he receives.

"I went to see Kate Tompkins and she told me her contract was up and she said she wasn't sure what will be happening.

"I think the MLAs should look at this," he added.

Aindow said the board should have kept Tompkins on until a replacement was found.

The board said it is eager to fill the position as soon as possible and a request for proposals for the position closed Dec. 17.

In 1997, the board awarded a two-year contract to The Nexus Group Ltd. to provide workers' advisor services. Nexus then contracted with K. Tompkins and Associates.

In September 1999, when the two-year contract was up, the board offered a three-month contract to K. Tompkins and Associates.

"This was done to allow time to properly advertise and award a new contract," the board said.

"Agreement on the terms of the contract between K. Tompkins and Associates and the WCB could not be reached by the extended deadline of Dec. 2, 1999. K. Tompkins and Associates made a counter-proposal, which was not acceptable to the WCB," said the board.

The Northern Territories Federation of Labour has expressed concern about the situation.

"The federation considers the workers' advisor an essential role," said the federation. "We have grave concerns on behalf of the workers who depend on this worker advisor."

"The board is as concerned as the federation of labour that we have a workers' advisor in place as soon as possible, hopefully as early as Jan. 1, 2000," Workers' Compensation Board chairperson JoAnne Deneron said.

In the absence of a workers' advisor, the board is asking workers who need assistance or have claims inquiries to contact the board's public affairs officer.