Workers want wages on par with cost of living
Accuse energy corporation of using bullying tactics
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Monday, July 20, 2015
IQALUIT
Reluctant power workers hit the picket line just after midnight July 16 after final negotiations between Qulliq Energy Corporation, the Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Employees' Union hit the breaking point.
Striking Qulliq Energy Corporation workers hit the picket line outside the corporation's headquarters in Iqaluit July 16. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo |
"I'm not happy, to be honest, because we were pushed to get out," said Anamaria Barabas, who works in the engineering department, and was striking outside the corporation's office in Iqaluit July 16.
"(QEC and GN) are not even trying to do anything. The only thing we are asking is to have a wage increase to keep up with the cost of living in the North."
Nunavut Employees' Union president Bill Fennell said the employer came to talks during the weekend of July 10 with no intention to bargain.
"Their legal counsel has told us they're just waiting to see us go on strike, showing a clear lack of respect for a meaningful negotiating process," Fennell stated in a release.
"QEC's management has dropped the gauntlet and given us no choice but to take strike action."
The company countered and stated in a release that the union walked away from talks. QEC insists its offer of six per cent over four years is "more than reasonable."
Fennell suggested the company was not bargaining in good faith, pointing out a QEC decision the day before the strike.
"QEC would no longer be providing previously provided housing and rental subsidies to employees, potentially violating the Residential Tenancies Act and our members' lease agreements," he stated.
"This isn't bargaining, it's simply bullying."
The union first voted in favour of strike action in March, but the union stated that it expected to reach an agreement that would have prevented a strike. Fennell told Nunavut News/North last week that workers stayed on the job to get power back up in Pangnirtung after the power plant fire.
A second vote June 16 ended with a majority favouring strike action.
The union is ready to return to the table, stated Jack Bourassa, regional executive vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, in a release.
"Our two sides aren't far apart and there's still time to resolve our differences."
"We don't have any choice," Barabas said, when asked if she is ready to stay on the picket line.
"If we're not going to stick together, we're going to lose."
Some QEC offices will be closed to the public during the strike, the company stated.
In those communities, emergencies, queries and billing can still be discussed with staff by phone or e-mail.
The strike action is not expected to result in any disruptions to the supply of electricity service.
