Latest N.W.T. gov't contracts talks end early on 'disappointing note': union
Government says wage, benefit increases sought by union would cost $18M for just 1 year
The benefit increases the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) is seeking for N.W.T. government workers would cost around $18 million for just one year, says the territorial government.
That doesn't even take into account as-yet-unspecified salary increases sought by the union.
"The GNWT's fiscal reality is such that we are unable to provide any form of monetary increases in the first two years of the new collective agreement," the government wrote the union on Thursday during the latest round of contract negotiations.
The government and the union have been negotiating a new contract affecting 3,900 workers since January.
The union provided only a brief account of this week's talks to members, writing on its website, "Three days of negotiations ended on a disappointing note, with little productive discussion at the bargaining table."
Talks were scheduled to take place over five days this week.
No schedule for the next round of collective bargaining has been posted yet.
Gloomy fiscal outlook hangs over negotiations
Talks have taken place under the spectre of looming cuts and layoffs.
The government says it needs to trim and/or raise $150 million over the next five years because of falling revenues.
The union is seeking new or improved benefits, including:
- A compassionate care allowance for employees who have worked for the government for at least six months before they go on leave to take care of a gravely ill family member
- Increases to the rates at which employees collect vacation and special leave
- The current $2.50/hour shift premium for people working from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. to be increased to $2.75/hour
- The shift premium for people working from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. to be doubled to $5/hour
- The weekend work shift premium to be increased to $3.25/hour from $2.50/hour
- A $200 per year winter clothing allowance for people who work outside during the winter months
The government's latest response pours cold water on those hopes.
"Should we be able to reach a collective agreement longer than two years, we are prepared to discuss very modest monetary increases for the third and subsequent years," the government wrote.
Last week, the government made similar overtures to the 484 teachers with whom it is also negotiating a new contract.
Union worried full-timers to be replaced by relief workers
Written correspondence between the government and union also provides insight into some of the push and pull that has marked the talks so far.
The UNW has indicated it will agree to the proposal that new employees hired by the government — and who have their way to the North paid for by the government — will agree to work for the government for one year.
But the UNW's agreement comes with a condition: that the government withdraw another proposal allowing it to hire relief workers for all its operations. The current agreement limits the government to using relief workers only at 24/7 operations such as its correctional facilities and hospitals.
"One of the concerns raised by the UNW is that by agreeing to the GNWT proposals on relief workers, full-time employees would be replaced by relief workers. This is not the case," the government wrote.
Confirmation of layoff plans will come with budget tabling
The union has also asked that any employee in danger of being laid off receive six months' notice.
The government has again said it won't do that.
"No decisions have been made as to whether there will be position reductions," the government wrote, adding that if the upcoming 2016 budget calls for layoffs, "employees in impacted positions will be informed before the main estimates are tabled."
Those estimates are expected to be tabled when the legislative assembly reconvenes at the end of this month.