The Union of Northern Workers says NWT Power Corporation staff have voted in favour of strike action “if necessary” as the two sides prepare to resume bargaining on September 10.
The last collective agreement for NTPC workers expired at the end of 2022, although its terms remain in force until a new deal is reached. Bargaining began in November 2023.
This week, the UNW said strike votes held this month had returned “a nearly unanimous majority” endorsing the union’s ability to call a strike at a later date if it sees fit.
The union never publishes the detailed results of its strike votes, such as how many people were eligible to vote, how many of those people voted, and how many voted for each option.
Negotiations so far have resulted in “subpar wage increases” being offered, the union said this week, and mediation “could be an option” if no agreement is reached in September.
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A strike vote does not mean a strike will definitely take place.
The last time NTPC workers came close to strike action was in early 2019, when work stoppages that would have involved both power corporation and GNWT staff were called off at the last minute.
