GN workers hit the picket line
| Government's estimate of contract costs over 36 months (in millions of dollars) | |||
| Gov | Union | Difference | |
| Salaries and Allowances | 9.30 | 14.70 | 5.40 |
| Language and Training | 2.70 | 6.20 | 3.50 |
| Nunavut Northern Allowance | 4.20 | 10.80 | 6.60 |
| Severance Liability | 0.00 | 22.80 | 22.80 |
| Parental Leave | 3.20 | 12.00 | 8.80 |
| Totals | $19.40 | $66.50 | $47.10 |
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Apr 23/01) - As angry government workers banged picket signs against the windows of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly, Finance and Human Resources Minister Kelvin Ng told reporters that union demands were too expensive.
 Kelvin Ng |
The union said an outdated and inadequate financial package forced them to go on strike.
Ng said the government simply could not afford to pay the amount requested.
"If we gave them everything they wanted, there would be some serious demands on how we would have to deliver our programs to balance out the salary side versus the program side," said Ng.
He said the two sides are $47.1 million apart on a three-year contract.
Ng said the government's final offer would cost $19.4 million over 36 months while the union's demands add up to $66.5 million.
Ng said union members are expected to vote on the government offer sometime next month.
Although he hopes workers would accept the offer, he said "union executives are asking for a rejection vote from their membership."
Union president Doug Workman said the union had to go on strike to prove to the employer they were serious about their demands.
"We're trying to make the point to the employer that we should be taken seriously," said Workman.
Rather than call for a general strike, the union opted for a "strategic strike."
That means different communities and government departments will go out at different times.
Last week's initiative resulted in 27 workers in Cambridge Bay and 106 workers in Iqaluit hitting the streets.
The move, which included striking correctional officers, forced some inmates from the Baffin Correctional Centre to be sent to prisons in the south.
"We want to target work sites or positions that create an impact with the employer," said Workman.
Those employees who do pick up placards are paid enhanced strike pay, although Workman refused to say how much money that meant.
Workman also said the government was making its offer look much better than it actually was.
"They're trying to make it look like it's reasonable. It's not reasonable," said Workman.
The rotating strikes are expected to continue at least until the membership votes on the government's offer.
Union of Northern workers president Georgina Rolt-Kaiser said her members will be asked to help the NEU.
"In a show of union solidarity and support, a request will be going out to all Union of Northern Workers Locals asking for donations to the NEU's hardship fund," said Rolt-Kaiser in a press release.
