Yellowknife (Mar 17/06) - Two unions are threatening the Ekati mine with a potential work stoppage if negotiations with employer BHP Billiton Diamonds don't soon resume.

The tentative contract offer from BHP to the 400 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Union of Northern Workers was flatly rejected with 71.4 per cent voting against it.

"The door is open for us to get back to the bargaining table," said Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, PSAC regional executive vice-president. "We're not prepared to wait for weeks or months."

Leading up to this point, BHP Billiton's bargaining group made its contract offer on February 9.

Union members at Ekati reviewed and began voting on the tentative deal last month, but the union said the voting had to be extended until March 13 in order to accommodate workers on rotating shifts at the mine.

The members want to negotiate quickly but, "barring that, we will be taking job action," said Des Lauriers.

Exactly when talks will continue is anyone's guess as BHP is sitting mum for the time being. "We've agreed with PSAC to not discuss any part of the collective bargaining process," said Deana Twissell, a company spokesperson.

"We do not want to infringe on that process."

Seniority, wage equity, job security and discrimination against First Nations workers top the list of members' concerns, said Des Lauriers. It's the treatment of aboriginal workers that stands out foremost in his mind among them.

"There's less respect, chances for promotion are less and they feel like they're being discriminated against," he said, adding 60 per cent of total Ekati workforce is aboriginal.

BHP Billiton does value its employees and "respects their right to be represented by another party," said Twissell.