Nurses’ survey records support for separate collective agreement

The majority of respondents to a survey by a northern nurses’ association say they would back a separate collective agreement for nurses.

More than 80 percent of the 282 respondents endorsed that move in a survey by CANNN, the industry body for nurses in the NWT and Nunavut.

NWT nurses are currently in the same Union of Northern Workers bargaining unit as thousands of other territorial government workers.

UNW leader Gayla Thunstrom said the union was “not convinced of the reliability” of the survey given it was open to anyone to complete without verification that the respondent was a northern nurse, and could be completed by the same person multiple times.

CANNN acknowledged that issue but said the publicly accessible nature of the survey was considered “low risk and did not preclude data collection or analysis, given the exploratory nature of the initiative and its intended use to inform early-stage discussions.”

Healthcare workers were told this week that the national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada – of which the UNW is a part – will hold a meeting with union members in Yellowknife from 5pm this Friday. That meeting appears likely to focus on nurses’ representation as well as broader issues.

Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan is expected to introduce a private member’s bill this month that, if passed, would allow NWT nurses to pursue their own collective agreements.

Morgan argues allowing nurses to form their own bargaining unit would let them advocate for needs that are distinct from those of other GNWT employees.

While the union says it is “not opposed” in principle, it has appeared to rule out pursuing or accepting any change in the months ahead, suggesting the creation of a nurses’ bargaining unit should happen only through future “meaningful consultation with all of our members.”

GNWT to examine legislation

Section 41 of the Public Service Act governs collective bargaining involving the territorial government’s workers.

That section sets out which employees get their own bargaining unit and so can reach their own collective agreements.

This is the legislation Morgan is targeting. Meanwhile, the NWT government said last week it is beginning to look at “options to modernize” the same legislation around bargaining units.

“In addition to policy research, we are committed to ongoing engagement with the UNW and PSAC. As with other major legislative undertakings, we will also engage employees and the public at large,” finance minister Caroline Wawzonek stated.

The statement – which did not directly address Morgan’s private member’s bill – suggested the GNWT plans to have its own review of the same legislation ready by 2026.

“As someone who spent years working on the front lines of our health system, I understand first-hand the frustrations and pressures that health and social services staff and practitioners are facing,” health minister Lesa Semmler stated last week.

“Despite past efforts to improve recruitment, retention, and workplace wellness, many challenges persist – and front-line workers are telling us that more support is needed. We hear those concerns and we are acting.”

Morgan unsure of GNWT timeline

Morgan said she agreed an “urgent need” exists for more comprehensive changes to the relevant legislation than she, as a regular MLA, can propose with a bill of her own.

“This outdated law actively interferes with public servants’ right to choose their bargaining agent. While almost all other jurisdictions have some kind of independent labour relations board to certify and decertify bargaining agents, the NWT has created separate laws to legitimize each of the two unions it bargains with, which is a terribly inefficient system more oriented towards political expediency than actually ensuring union members’ rights and interests are prioritized,” Morgan said by email.

She noted that the ministers, in their statements, had mentioned reviewing the relevant section of the legislation but had not clearly articulated what they saw as the existing problems with it.

“I support the intent of this announcement and invite the government to explain and commit to a plan and timeline to achieve their new goal of completing changes to section 41 before the end of this Assembly, considering that active bargaining is expected to begin in late 2025 and could be drawn out for several years based on historical examples,” Morgan wrote.

“To be clear, I want the government’s initiative to succeed. I believe lots of residents want it to succeed. The government needs to show us how they will ensure it succeeds.

“I still plan to introduce my private member’s bill in the upcoming May sitting – in a revised form, as I have received much useful feedback – in a way that maximizes the freedom of nurses to choose their own bargaining agent. I believe that my bill will be complementary to the government’s efforts to fix the broader system, while providing a shorter-term targeted solution for nurses.”

Thunstrom said the UNW “looks forward to continuing the conversation and relationship” as the GNWT studies the legislation around bargaining, and was doing its own research on the matter.

Concerns noted in survey

While CANNN is a voice and regulator for northern nurses, it does not have any role in bargaining.

The association took care to note that its survey was “conducted for information-gathering purposes only” and was “not intended to support or imply engagement in collective bargaining or the development of collective agreements.”

Even so, the information and views gathered in that survey provided a window into how some healthcare workers appear to feel.

CANNN said people expressing uncertainty about the benefits of a separate collective agreement had voiced “concerns about the viability of a smaller union and the potential for increased union dues.”

“Several participants indicated that the question was premature, citing a lack of clear articulation regarding the need for a separate agreement and the absence of comprehensive analysis on related issues, impacts, costs, risks, benefits, and alternatives,” CANNN stated.

“While the majority of respondents supported the concept of a nursing-specific collective agreement, the feedback from those who were unsure highlights the need for further analysis and consideration of potential challenges and unintended consequences.”

In a statement to Cabin Radio last week, CANNN chief executive officer and registrar Megan Wood said: “CANNN does not, and will not be engaging in union representation or collective bargaining; however, we recognize that many of these issues such as workplace well-being directly impact nurses’ ability to meet regulatory standards and provide safe care for the public.

“CANNN certainly appreciates the GNWT’s recognition of these concerns and the commitment to supporting a more responsive and resilient workforce through meaningful engagement.

“CANNN remains committed to working collaboratively with system partners to ensure that nursing regulation continues to evolve in a way that reflects the needs of the public, the profession, and the unique northern context in which we operate.”