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GNWT, union point fingers after talks stall

The territorial government and the Union of Northern Workers have yet to reach an agreement after negotiations stalled this weekend.

 

Mediator Vince Ready adjourned talks late on Friday after it "became clear that the parties are still far apart after almost three years of negotiations for a renewal collective agreement,” a news release posted to the union's website on Friday states.

The union is pushing for job security and fair wage increases that keep pace with inflation , stated UNW president Todd Parsons.

The GNWT said it was "disappointed" with the UNW's response after negotiation talks stalled on Friday.
NNSL file photo
“It is really a sad state of affairs when after all this time, the government still thinks employees should subsidize its overly-ambitious infrastructure plans,” stated Parsons.

The GNWT responded to that statement today, stating it believed progress was made during mediation, but was disappointed that the Union's response "misrepresented the GNWT financial situation, suggested that the government does not provide a living wage to its employees, and suggests that employees are being asked to subsidize infrastructure investments."

Challenging fiscal times have seen revenue decline by $84 million in the last three years, and there is "limited evidence" that will increase in the future, the government stated.

"We believe that our employees are prepared to do their part to manage our way through this difficult financial period," the GNWT stated.

The territorial government said it will keep its workers informed as it works toward completing a collective agreement with the UNW.

The union has stated it will announce strike training dates and locations, and started training employees in Hay River over the weekend.

Both parties are now awaiting the mediator’s report, which is expected in the next 14 days.