N.W.T. government workers could strike as early as mid-November

N.W.T. Government and the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) return to the bargaining table this week to ultimately decide the fate of about 4,000 government employees.

The unionized workers have been without a collective agreement since 2016. From now on, the UNW appeals to the "captains" who will lead the strike on all the territory.

Todd Parsons, President of UNW His team will do everything in its power to avoid a strike, calling it a "last resort".

"We understand that there is a significant financial impact in the event of a strike and if it affects communities," Parsons said. "The emotional impact that a strike will have on our members is one thing we do not want them to live on."

The union lobbied the government for a three per cent wage increase over a four-year period. In January, the government responded by proposing an increase of 0% for 2016, 0% in 2017, 1% in 2018 and 1.1% in 2019.

The strike could be called for Monday

A three-day meditation is scheduled from Thursday to Saturday. It will be led by BC Mediator Vince Ready.

Parsons said that if the union could find a common ground allowing members to benefit from a reduction in the cost of living, it would avoid a strike.

He added that the union hoped to solve other problems during the mediation, such as improving the compensation paid in the North and improving the wording on job security, among others.

"We would like to see workplace mental health improvements that address the concerns of all our members, not just a specific group," said Parson.

Signs of support for the Northern Workers Union began to appear around Yellowknife. The union and the territorial government will return to the bargaining table this week. (Michael Hugall / CBC)

If the UNW leaves negotiations unsatisfied, it can inform the territorial government that it intends to trigger. Then the mediator has two weeks to provide both parties with a report on the negotiations. If the UNW is still not satisfied at this point, Parsons says that there will be a strike.

The territorial government "is actively preparing" for a possible strike

Territorial government officials refused an interview before the mediation. A spokesperson for the Department of Finance made a statement.

According to the statement, the territorial government is "determined to reach a fair and financially responsible collective agreement".

"The GNWT also recognizes its responsibilities to the residents of NWT and all departments continue to actively prepare for the possibility that UNW may choose to exercise its right to strike if no agreement was found. "