Scott Crabbe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 14/00) - A Tuesday workshop has laid the foundation for improved workplace safety.

Representatives from health and social service boards along with groups such as the NWT Registered Nurses Association, the Association of Social Workers and the RCMP participated in discussions and shared a common goal of improving working conditions during the Yellowknife meeting.

"Workers' safety is a most important issue," said Georgina Rolt-Kaiser, president of the Union of Northern Workers (UNW).

"This is about working together and forming joint strategies to develop a foundation to improve workplace safety. I'm pleased that we've gathered here to identify problems and commit to making positive changes together."

A territorial-wide shortage of health and social services professionals sparked initiatives for the workshop.

"With the growing national and international shortage of health and social service professionals, we need to treat frontline workers well and let them know they are appreciated and valued members of our communities," said Penny Ballantyne, deputy minister of health and social services.

Areas of concern included workplace violence, issues of staffing and isolation, and career training and professional development. A portion of the workshop was also devoted to having frontline health care and social services workers identify issues of workplace safety as they see them.

"These are not new issues," Ballantyne said.

"Our frontline workers need to feel supported, not only by their employer, union and professional associations, but also by community leaders and the general public."

Delegates also took part in group discussions where they worked to identify specific problems and possible solutions.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of the discussions," Rolt-Kaiser said.

"Right now we are reviewing all the suggestions and our next stop will be turning to the public for comments."

Both the department and the UNW have committed to forming a working team of stakeholders to ensure that the process maintains its momentum.