Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

Yellowknife ( Jun 12/00) - NWT Power Corp. and Union of Northern Workers bargaining teams have reached a tentative deal, the two sides announced.

"We've (the corporation and the union) agreed we wouldn't talk about the details," said Derek Aindow, corporation personnel director.

He did say the corporation "is pleased we were able to reach the agreement."

NWT Power Corp. workers have been without a collective agreement since Dec. 31, 1998. The next step is for both sides to ratify the deal, which could take six weeks.

Barb Wyness, UNW research and public affairs officer, said the tentative deal covers about 110 members.

The deal was reached half-way through the final day of three days of meetings held recently in Yellowknife, and guided by professional mediator Colin Taylor of Calgary, Alta.

The tentative deal comes as the NWT and Nunavut governments begin the process of deciding how to divide NWT Power Corp. assets and liabilities.

The Nunavut Power Corp. recently appointed Rick Blennerhassett as its first president. Blennerhassett is a former NWT Power Corp. vice-president who was based in Hay River.

Last week, Blennerhassett and Fort Simpson businessman Andrew Gaule were appointed to the NWT Power Corp. board. Blennerhasset's appointment will conclude March 31, 2001. By that time, the splitting of the corporation could be complete.

In other appointments, Kelly Kaylo of Yellowknife and Tom Zubko of Inuvik will serve as board members until mid-2003. Eric Shelton of Calgary will serve as board member until mid-2001. Simon Merkosak of Pond Inlet will continue as vice-chairman until March 31, 2001.