Employees lash out at NWT Power Corporation
Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 19/01) - After 15 years working for the NWT Power Corporation, Bob Norton was told Tuesday the company no longer has any use for him.
"They've created a stress level at Jackfish that's unbelievable," Norton said of the re-organization the corporation announced this week.
Mike LeBlanc, a 14-year employee who worked alongside Norton at the Jackfish plant, got the same bad news the same day as Norton. He said he's taking this week off to deal with the stress the situation has created for him.
The director of human resources for the NWT Power Corp. said the employees whose positions are being terminated are being given time to deal with the emotional aftermath of the news.
"We recognize that they will need a period of time to more or less grieve, almost," said Derek Aindow.
Though they still have jobs with the corporation, LeBlanc and Norton do not know what those jobs are or how long they will last.
"How do I show up to work and sit there?" said LeBlanc, 45. "I'm a dead man walking."
Aindow said after employees are given time to deal with the anger and rejection they feel, they will be invited to discuss with a human resources officer their needs and desires as far as alternate positions.
"If we had another job for an electrician, Bob would be the one to have it," Aindow said. "And if we had another job for a tradesman, Mike would have it."
The president of the union that represents Power Corporation workers said the corporation does not have the authority to lay off anyone.
Georgina Rolt-Kaiser said a no-layoff order issued Oct. 17 by territorial Premier Stephen Kakfwi still stands. On Tuesday Kakfwi confirmed that order is still in effect.
Rolt-Kaiser implored Yellowknifer not to name Norton and LeBlanc, saying to do so could jeopardize their future with the corporation. Norton and LeBlanc did not ask that their names not be used.
Norton and LeBlanc described a working environment at the plant that was stressed to begin with because of friction between British managers and native or part-native workers at the plant.
"I'm part native, my wife is native, Mike is native and, I'm sorry, but this smacks of racism," said Norton. "I'm not taking this lying down."
Norton said workers are being laid off to make room for managers and supervisors looking to work out the years required to earn a full pension.
"That's simply not the case," said Aindow. "Decisions were made on the basis of the most suitable people for the positions that we have."
Rolt-Kaiser said the union has received no complaint from Norton of racist treatment. Having their jobs hang on the whim of government has added to the stress of the situation, LeBlanc said.
"I can't honestly sign anything legal right now, because I don't know if I'll be out of a job tomorrow," he said.
