Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Feb 07/00) - The respective negotiating committees of the Nunavut Employees Union and the Government of Nunavut spent at least part of the second round of contract negotiations on damage control.

But, according to union boss Doug Workman, all is well and on the road to recovery once again.

"We made a clear statement at the beginning of the negotiations that we were opposed to the minister's comments," said Workman, referring to Finance Minister Kelvin Ng's recent announcement to hike the Northern Allowance benefit by 15 per cent.

Just days before the second of four rounds of contract negotiations began on Jan. 22, Ng went public with the news that he would increase the benefit in order to reflect the inadequate amount previously paid to employees.

Workman was angered by the announcement and as well as calling Ng's approach "disgusting," he said it circumvented the negotiation process and effectively took the wind out of the union's sails.

Workman said that even though the offer stood, the union considered it to be only a starting point for the financial dickering that's set to begin with round three on Feb. 14.

"We don't necessarily want him to retract it. But we sent a message to the employer and the minister telling him to back off and stay out of negotiations," said Workman.

"We'll work with that number (15 per cent), but we're still going to negotiate a formula that recognizes the needs and the living conditions in Nunavut."

Workman said the message seemed to be acknowledged and that once the air was cleared, the teams were able to get down to business and consider the remaining administrative issues tabled during the four-day negotiating session.

Now that all of the wording and the paperwork are out of the way, the sides will begin to hammer out the financial details this month.

Along with battling over the Northern Allowance benefit, the issues of per diem duty travel, training, student positions and travel will also be considered.