Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 24/02) - Up to 30 Yellowknife workers at the Department of Health and Social Services will have their jobs eliminated or greatly modified by the end of June, but will be able to apply for new positions.

The employees were notified by letter last Thursday explaining that their jobs were "affected" by the restructuring tactics promised in Michael Miltenberger's Action Plan that was unveiled in January.

"We had 168 positions before the reorganization and we will have 168 after," said deputy minister Mark Cleveland. "There were some positions eliminated and some added."

The jobs range from administration to management level. They include many secretarial positions, electronic records and data analysts, a senior disease regulation officer, and a manager of community wellness programs.

The letters were followed by individual employee meetings with managers and a general meeting with all employees Thursday afternoon.

"The union asked that the collective agreement be abided by. We don't know what the fallout is going to be, but we have to make sure our members are taken care of," said Georgina Rolt-Kaiser, president of the Union of Northern Workers.

The GNWT's own staffing retention policy allows workers to be re-trained and be given education leave to tailor their skills to the new positions they desire within the territorial government.

The decision to restructure came directly from the deputy minister's office, but was recommended by internal staff, board chairs, and an external review of the department last June, he said.

"The plan will eliminate gaps in our organization," said Cleveland. "The changes will better serve the public."