Yellowknife (Feb 19/03) - The Union of Northern Workers (UNW) has signed a tentative collective bargaining agreement with Sirius Diamonds Ltd.

Union of Northern Workers president Todd Parsons is satisfied with the collective bargaining agreement just signed with Sirius Diamonds. - Norm Poole/NNSL photo

Unionized workers at the Yellowknife plant will hold a ratification vote on the package by the end February, said UNW president Todd Parsons.

The agreement affects about 20 sawyers, brillianteers, bruters and laser workers.

A delighted Parsons said the agreement has been "a long time" in the making.

The union was certified as the bargaining agent for Sirius workers in early 2001, making the plant the only organized diamond polishing factory in the country.

Shortly after, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board denied a decertification request filed by three Sirius employees.

Over the past two years, the UNW has filed "numerous" unfair labour practice complaints against the company.

"Two years is a long time to get a first agreement," said Parsons. "It took some time to sort out those problems."

If ratified, the agreement would run to Dec. 31, 2004.

In addition to wages, it addresses statutory holidays, layoff and severance pay, hours of work and overtime, sick leave and annual leave provisions.

The UNW refused to release further details pending the ratification vote. Parsons said he expects a majority of the 20 workers will approve the deal.

Sirius Diamonds recently announced plans to double production at the plant within 12 months.

With expansion the plant would employ about 50 people (including non-unionized supervisors) by early 2004, said president Stephen Ben-Oleil.

He termed the tentative agreement with the UNW as a positive step toward an improved labour-management climate at the plant.

"Ultimately we want the employees happy," he said.

"Yellowknife is a tough job market and it is not going to change in the immediate future.

"We are going to do everything we can to keep our people happy and show them a good future."

Parsons said the UNW -- a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada -- will now turn its organizing efforts to other diamond-related businesses in NWT.

"We are interested in the diamond industry. We are looking at polishing plants, certainly, as well as the mines themselves."