Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Ernest Ness, a representative for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1574, called the 87.5 per cent vote against the contract, "a resounding rejection."
The 400 employees across the three territories and northern British Columbia have been without a contract since Dec. 31.
The ballots were counted April 11.
NorthwesTel is owned by Bell Canada. It serves a population of 110,000 people in 96 communities across almost four million square kilometres. from Grise Fiord to Wonowon, B.C.
Ness said the rejection authorizes the union to "take strike action if necessary."
A federal conciliator was called in, and the company and union will meet once more at the end of April. Ness said the earliest the union can call a strike would be in late May.