In response to potential layoffs at Ekati mine, Tlicho leadership has voiced its support for workers whose entry-level jobs could be axed and contracted out.
Dominon Diamond Mines announced it would lay off 150 Ekati workers by October of this year, citing that absenteeism is cutting into its profitability, states a news release by the Union of Northern Workers.
The cuts represent at least eight per cent of Ekati's 1734 employees.
In response to the cuts, the union has filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board, and will file labour grievances, said UNW president Todd Parsons.
The union represents all affected union members, said Parsons, but there are concerns that at least 80 per cent of affected positions could be held by Northerners.
The Tlicho government issued its own statement condemning the cuts, and says it “will not accept a reduction in the number of Tlicho employees at Ekati.”
Grand Chief George Mackenzie emphasized Dominion's duty to hire and retain Tlicho members through the impact benefit agreement.
“Our people, our way of life and our livelihoods are at stake. The company has a duty through all of the agreements they hold with partners – the IBA, the Collective Agreement with the union, and through the Socio-Economic Agreement with the GNWT – to hire and retain northern workers. Their proposed approach strikes at the heart of all of these agreements,” stated Chief Mackenzie in a news release Thursday.
Parsons confirmed the union had met with the Tlicho government in light of Dominon's announcement.
“We allege the employer has engaged in anti-union sentiment and its efforts to contract out 150 of our members is direct action against the union membership,” said Parsons in an interview with Yellowknifer.
Parsons said the union can't, and won't be responsible for the employer's managerial woes.
“The employer has stated absenteeism as a problem ... and have asked the union to resolve their issues with their inability to manage their workforce,” said Parsons.
Dominion has not provided the union any data to substantiate its claims that absenteeism is harming the company's bottom line. It has given the union a deadline of May 31 to rectify its concerns over absent employees.
The address absenteeism, the union would require additional data, said Parsons.
“This is a threat against the union membership and the union. If the union doesn't find solutions to the employers inability to manage, they're going to contract out good, full time union jobs.”