The existing collective agreement does not expire until March.

Negotiations, however, began early to address issues from the previous contract.

"The original contract had no inflation increase in the agreement," said Al Woods, Interim CEO at Stanton Territorial Hospital who represented the government.

"What we did, since there was no inflationary build in 2002, was start early for an inflationary increase in 2002."

Other details of the contract are under a media black-out until the agreement is ratified by doctors.

"But, we're not expecting any difficulties," said Woods.

He added that negotiations went well and both sides were very cooperative.

"It was a lot more formal (than 2000) but it went quite well. We found the process very valuable," said Woods. Negotiations with NWT specialists are still in the works.

Woods said there is an offer on the table that he hopes will be ratified.

"We're expecting to hear from them shortly.

"I am expecting there is a ways to go there yet," he said.

Last fall the specialists turned down a nearly 17 per cent increase offer.