Chesterfield Inlet (Apr 26/06) - An agreement is close to being finalized that would see a former Chesterfield Inlet teacher end his hunger strike.

The deal would see the Federation of Nunavut Teachers (FNT) advance three of the teacher's grievances.

Francis Mazhero began his hunger strike on Feb. 16 to protest the way he lost his job as a teacher at Victor Sammurtok school.

Mazhero said he lost his job in 2002 over unfounded allegations of sexual of misconduct.

He said the 14-year-old girl who made the allegations later recanted her accusations and the family wrote a letter of apology to him.

A bitter legal battle raged during the next four years, during which time Mazhero filed numerous statements of claim with the courts against the Nunavut government and the FNT.

His inability to move the claims forward led to his hunger strike.

President Jimmy Jacquard said the federation has agreed to represent Mazhero on three previously-filed grievances that are in abeyance awaiting an arbitration date from the government.

The grievances are unfair dismissal, a defamation suit and the denial of a relocation claim.

"We've always maintained the grievances were legitimate and we're doing what we can to further his cause, including representing Mr. Mazhero during arbitration," said Jacquard.

"We pursued Mr. Mazhero's grievances in accordance with our mandate until the process was halted due to his unwillingness to participate in the arbitration or co-operate with the federation.

"We have always been willing to continue with the arbitration process.

"As it now appears Mr. Mazhero is willing to participate and co-operate, we have requested the Government of Nunavut to provide its available dates for the arbitration to proceed."

At press time, Jacquard would neither confirm nor deny if Mazhero had been granted independent council.

Heath professionals would not comment on Mazhero's condition, although a person close to the situation said a resolution was imminent that should lead to the former teacher regaining his health.

The situation took on an accelerated sense of urgency on April 16 when Mazhero had to be medevaced to Churchill.

Jacquard said it's the federation's goal to obtain an arbitration date as quickly as possible.

"We hope once a date has been set for an arbitration hearing that Mr. Mazhero will start being on the mend. We have never lost sight of the fact there is a life at stake here."