FORT SIMPSON - Members of the Union of Northern Workers in Fort Simpson recently had the chance to speak their minds to the national leader of their organization.

On June 20, John Gordon, the national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and Todd Parsons, the president of the Union of Northern Workers visited the village.

Long time union member Raymond Michaud, centre, talks with John Gordon, left, the national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and Todd Parsons, the president of the Union of Northern Workers, during their visit to Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The two-day stop was part of a week-long visit by Gordon to six of the union's regions in the territory. The Union of Northern Workers (UNW) falls under the national umbrella of PSAC.

This was the first time that a PSAC president has made a visit to so many regions of the Northwest Territories, said Parsons.

"It's a privilege and an honour to see him up here," said Parsons.

Parsons said he appreciated Gordon's initiative of coming to the territory and seeing the issues that are here first-hand. The visit was mostly positive, he said.

The two men started their tour in Inuvik on June 18 and were in Fort Smith on Tuesday, Fort Simpson on Wednesday and part of Thursday before heading to Hay River and then finishing in Yellowknife on Friday. At each of their stops, the two presidents visited work sites.

"All of the employers have been more than accommodating," said Parsons.

In the village they visited the NWT Power Corporation, territorial government offices, the village office, the office of Parks Canada and the Visitor Information Centre.

Gordon, who has never been to Fort Simpson before, said the visit helped him gain a better understanding of the North.

"It's been great," he said.

While visiting work sites, Gordon talked to union members about what they're sensing from their employers, what they want to achieve through collective bargaining and other matters.

"They don't always want to talk about collective bargaining, they want to talk about community issues," Gordon said.

He said he'd take the messages that he has heard back to the rest of Canada.

Union members also had a chance to visit with the two men during a meet and greet held at the Seven Spruce Golf Club.

Raymond Michaud, who's been a member of the UNW for 30 years, said he was pleasantly surprised to have the president of PSAC visit.

"It's something I didn't expect because of the number of workers. It would be like the prime minister coming to Simpson," he said.

Ken Stewart, the president of UNW Local 13, said the visit has given more exposure to the union.

"I think it's very helpful," he said.

Local 13 has approximately 312 members in the Deh Cho. The region is also covered by Local 31 in Fort Providence.