Yellowknife (May 14/03) - Stanton specialists say they want to be treated fairly.

Twelve of the 15 Stanton Territorial Hospital specialists say they'll resign July 1 if a new contract agreement hasn't been reached.

NWT Medical Association president Dr. Ken Seethram said specialists want to be treated with the same courtesy as general practitioners. The GPs reached a contract six months ago with the government. The specialists' contract ended March 31, 2002, and they've been negotiating since November 2001.

"The specialists should be treated with the same form of equity," he said Monday.

As part of their old contract, the specialists have given the legal three months resignation notice to their employer, said Seethram.

Stanton specialists face a tough job working in the North, said Alberta Medical Association president Dr. Steve Chambers.

"I know from talking to Dr. Seethram that it's pretty well about staying alive and trying to maintain their health and sanity," said Chambers from an Ottawa airport Monday.

NWT Health Minister Michael Miltenberger said he wasn't surprised when the medical association's letter came across his desk.

The government has already been working on a contingency plan with Stanton Territorial Health Authority if an agreement isn't reached, said Miltenberger.

Using the services of existing general practitioners, sending patients to Edmonton and importing locum specialists are part of the government's contingency plan.

"We're hoping for the best but planning for the worst," said Miltenberger.

"If there is a withdrawal of services, the money not being spent on the specialists will be used to pay for locums or for the extra costs of capital health services."

Miltenberger said the negotiation process has taken so long because it's been hard to get the teams together, especially with so many other ongoing contract negotiations facing the government.

Neither side is speaking publicly about negotiations until a new deal has been reached and ratified by the association membership.

But it is probable that wages are on the table. Last fall specialists turned down a nearly 17 per cent wage increase.

The next negotiations are scheduled for May 28 to 30.