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'We've resigned,' says top doc

Specialists say they might leave even if a new contract is reached with government

Erin Fletcher
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 16/03) - Even with a contract settlement specialists may still chose to leave, said Dr. Ken Seethram, president of the NWT Medical Association.

NNSL Photo

Wages vary dramatically between provinces and territories.

Although the NWT Medical Association and the territorial government agreed not to speak publicly about the issues being negotiated, it's probable wages are on the table. Last fall the specialists turned down a nearly 17 per cent wage increase.

NWT specialists currently make a base salary of $240,000 a year -- and have no overhead -- said Dave Murray, deputy minister of health.

Specialists in Alberta are paid on a fee-for-service basis. They gross an average of $197,566 a year before paying a 40 to 50 per cent overhead expense and taxes, said Shannon Rupnarian, Alberta Medical Association manager of public affairs.


"We've resigned. This is not a job walkout or a strike," said Seethram, Wednesday.

"If a contract is negotiated and the resignees are happy with it those who have resigned will decide if it is in their best interest to stay."

Twelve of the 15 specialists signed a mass resignation last month.

They want a new contract settlement by July 1 or they say they'll leave. They've been without a contract since March 31, 2002 and they've been negotiating with the territorial government since November 2001.

Many of the specialists are already making plans for the future, said Seethram.

The resignees have worked in the North between 19 years and 18 months.

"Many of them have an investiture in the North," he said.

The resignation is absolutely legal, said Dave Murray, deputy minister of health. According to the specialist's previous contract, they have to give 90 days notice to their employer.

"That's why we are working hard to make a settlement with them," said Murray.

"We're trying to negotiate a settlement and all our attention is focused on that point."

Murray wouldn't comment on whether the government was prepared to let the specialists walk.

"It's too soon to go that far. I don't want anything to happen that won't let the two parties get a settlement."

However, the government has established a contingency plan, should the territory suddenly be without specialty physicians. NWT Health Minister Michael Miltenberger said earlier this week that the government will use the money normally used to pay the specialists to have locums come in and to ship patients South for special treatment.

The next negotiations are scheduled for May 28 to 30.