Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 24/02) - The union representing 380 NorthwesTel operators, technical and clerical workers is saying it has definite plans for a strike, but is not saying when.

"We haven't delivered the message to them yet officially when we're going, but they know about it," said International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1574 business manager Ernest Ness.

The union needs to give NorthwesTel 72 hours notice before workers walk out.

Ness says IBEW faxed an offer to NorthwesTel Tuesday morning which included, among other things, a one per cent drop in requested increases for the second year. Before Tuesday, the union had lobbied for increases of five, six and seven per cent over the next three years. NorthwesTel has offered increases of 3, 3.5 and 3.5 per cent.

"We're looking for a two-year agreement. Four is too long, three somebody has to make us smile. And so far we've got very damn little to smile about let me tell you," said Ness.

For its part, NorthwesTel says it has received no formal offers from the union. A formal offer, said company spokeswoman Anne Kennedy Grainger, "is a mutual agreement by both parties that talks have resumed and that they're prepared to bargain."

She said NorthwesTel will not schedule a lockout, one of the options available to the company. Grainger also says contingency plans have been made.

In the event of a strike, she said, "we'd be keeping all of the essential services such as operator services and business and residential call centres, repairs, directory assistance, service orders and our network surveillance centre. And then, to a degree where we can, provide service installation and repair services out in the field."

The current collective agreement ended last December. NorthwesTel and the union have not engaged in any formal talks since conciliation broke down May 1. The union was legally allowed to strike beginning May 24.