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MLAs urge GNWT, union to find common ground

MLAs from Yellowknife and Nahendeh are urging the GNWT to head back to the bargaining table with the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) over concerns that a looming strike is putting a chill on the economy.

MLAs Kieron Testart and Shane Thompson are two of five MLAs calling for talks to resume between the GNWT and UNW.
Avery Zingel/NNSL photo

Spending is down at local businesses and people are preemptively “pinching their pennies” in the event there is a strike, said MLA Cory Vanthuyne.

“Businesses rely on an influx in spending around the holidays to cushion them throughout the year,” said Vanthuyne. “There are people who are legitimately concerned about what their cash flow will be like for the rest of the year.”

MLAs Kevin O’Reilly, Julie Green, Kieron Testart, Cory Vanthuyne and Shane Thompson penned an open letter Wednesday asking for a “swift resolution” to the bargaining impasse.

The MLAs gave Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod feedback from constituents that a lull in talks is having an effect on family life and the economy.

“We understand that both parties are under a great deal of pressure to reach a fair collective agreement. As difficult as this is across the NWT, the consequences of failure should also service as strong incentive to bargain in good faith,” the letter states.

In response to Yellowknifer’s questions about whether the GNWT is considering back to work legislation, the finance department said that its focus is on finalizing a collective agreement with the UNW.

“The GNWT has offered to return to the bargaining table, with or without the mediator, and we remain available to meet with the UNW at any time,” said Todd Sasaki, spokesperson for the department.

The GNWT confirmed new mediation dates with the mediator’s office for Feb. 8.

The UNW confirmed it is willing to return to the bargaining table to avert strike action.

While MLAs have no intention of playing an “active role” in negotiations, members from Yellowknife and Nahendeh are speaking on behalf of constituents who could be affected by a loss of services, including health, said Vanthuyne.

“We just cannot afford at this time to have limited services to our constituents. For members of the union, they’re all pinching their pennies and being careful with their spending if something were to happen. We don’t want to see people get so frustrated that they give consideration to leaving,” he said.

Putting out the letter was not taken lightly by MLAs, said Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart.

“We know there are a lot of strong feelings on both sides of this issue. The MLAs decided the situation has become unbearable for our constituents. We’ve heard concerns that not only our public sector is worried, but private sector,” he said.

Retail spending is on the downswing, with direct effects on the economy as people fear divisive strike action, said Testart.

MLAs have to prepare for any possible situation, including whether back-to-work legislation is brought forward by cabinet, he said.

“We are unsure of how that would work in our legislative environment. We want to prepare for any situation,” he said.

As the federal government legislated postal workers on rotating strike back to work, such legislation is “on the minds of Northerners, because we are three years without a collective agreement,” said Testart.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that. I hope we can get both sides back to the table and reach a fair deal. It seems increasingly difficult for that to happen and that’s unfortunate,” said Testart.

He urged the government to use its will to build consensus to do the same at the bargaining table.

“Often times when political priorities are identified, cabinet can find the money and the first person who would tell you that is the finance minister,” said Testart.

The most recent indexing of cost of living increases shows the territory saw a 2.5 per cent increase in cost of living, which the GNWT has done little to alleviate, he said.

“They are pleading poverty over a $1.7-billion budget,” he said, adding that the issue is not purely about wages.

“That is not the only sticking point. Job security is a long running concern of Northern workers. It’s not just about the money. We need to look at everything on the table,” he said.

The GNWT has a good track record of money management, has a double A credit rating and has managed large shocks before.

(See: purchasing Northern Transportation Company Limited’s assets and bailing out ratepayers in 2015 after a dry season forced the power corporation to burn diesel.)

“We can build in the kind of wage increase that keeps up with the cost of living. Zero per cent is just not acceptable,” said Testart.