GNWT rejects union request for extra notice of layoffs
Government says proposal doesn't fit; negotiations continue
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, April 8, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Union of Northern Workers has asked the GNWT to give thousands of government employees at least six months notice before any layoffs - an idea the government has rejected.
The UNW floated the proposal as negotiations on a new collective agreement between the approximately 3,900 unionized GNWT employees and UNW continue.
The collective agreement expired at the end of March but its terms continue until a new contract is struck.
Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod has said the GNWT will need to find $150 million over the next five years in new revenue and in cuts to maintain a balanced budget.
That's resulted in speculation of looming job cuts as the GNWT prepares the first budget of the 18th legislative assembly, expected to be tabled in late May or early June.
The UNW sent a list of 10 principles on March 31 to the government and subsequently posted online it hopes the government will follow for "workforce reduction."
The first is that the employer give six months notice if it is contemplating layoffs. Beyond the six month notice, the UNW sought to have a meeting with the GNWT within 30 days of a layoff notice to consider alternatives.
It also asked for layoffs to be carried out through attrition, meaning it wouldn't fill vacant jobs as people retire or quit.
"We cannot accept your proposal," the GNWT responded April 1, according to a document it posted online. The GNWT states the ideas laid out are "not consistent with the current Collective Agreement."
Instead, it stated it would follow normal procedures.
It added that no decisions have been made about position reductions.
If there are to be layoffs, the response from the GNWT states it would notify affected employees prior to the information becoming public when the budget is tabled.
The document states the government would provide written notice that in eight weeks the person could be laid off. During that time, the person remains at work with full pay and benefits.
The negotiations are expected to continue in May, according to the GNWT.
