Still not enough

Union not satisfied with offer

Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 20/00) - Hardball is the name of the game being played by the union and the employer in Nunavut these days.

Highlights of the Gn's offer for 39-month collective agreement A component for each community which takes into account food, electricity, gasoline, freight. Additional allowance based on community size. A 3 per cent raise, retroactive to April 1, 2000. 2 per cent wage increase effective April 1, 2001. 2.25 per cent wage increase effective April 1, 2002. 3 per cent wage increase effective April 1, 2003. Stand-by pay increased to $13.50 per shift, $18 per weekend or holiday shift. Shift premium increased to $1.20 (4 p.m.-12 a.m.) and $1.35 (12-8 a.m.) (Apr. 1, 2000 - June 30 2003)-Transportation component equal to four trips for each employee from employees community to designated southern destination (Edmonton/Kitikmeot, Winnipeg/Kivalliq, Montreal or Ottawa/Baffin).

After walking into round five of the collective agreement negotiations with an 89 per cent mandate to go out on strike, Nunavut Employees Union president Doug Workman walked back out just two days later. He said the only thing left to do now was enter into mediation.

"We reached an impasse," said Workman of the negotiations that have dragged on for a year.

Both sides hoped to reach an agreement before the current contract expired in April of this year, but the issue of Northern financial benefits -- called the Nunavut Equalization Allowance -- have kept the union representing Nunavut's civil service and the employer far apart.

Following round four of the negotiations, the government said they'd reconsider the formula they used to arrive at their figure and would consult various agencies on the true cost of living in Canada's newest territory. The GN returned to the table last week, but their new numbers didn't sit well with Workman.

"They didn't want to change their formula. We didn't want to change our formula. We're going to mediation," said Workman.

He said the GN's offer was a good starting point, but was outdated and not flexible enough. Mediation talks are expected to begin early next year.

Garry Pinto, the director of labour relations for the government, said his team went to the meeting with a reasonable package, given the territory's financial picture.

"We have to look at realities here. The NEU's expectations are beyond what we could afford," said Pinto.

Pinto said that if the mediator can't end the impass, the two sides are near an agreement that will define essential services during a strike.