Unionized workers at the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority have voted against a proposal to become GNWT employees by early 2027.
The Union of Northern Workers said it met with healthcare workers in Hay River in February to discuss the possible merger of the town’s authority into the territorial health authority ahead of bargaining on a new collective agreement.
The UNW held a ratification vote earlier this month on a memorandum of understanding from the employer, which the union said included a bridging agreement that would have seen the Hay River authority become part of the GNWT by the end of March 2027.
In an update on Tuesday, the union said the “overwhelming majority” of workers voted to reject that agreement.
“We heard your message to reject their last offer very clearly and will be bringing the reasons for that rejection vote back to the bargaining table,” the union stated.
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The union said it plans to meet with the employer as soon as possible to find “a settlement path” acceptable to both workers and the employer “that will allow for a timely migration to the GNWT.”
The UNW did not respond to Cabin Radio’s request for comment prior to publication.
When the NWT Health and Social Services Authority was established in 2016, the Hay River authority and Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency remained separate.
In recent years, the territorial government has begun work to bring the Hay River authority into the NWT authority, a move that requires negotiation with the union.
The Hay River authority’s collective agreement with the Public Service Alliance of Canada expires on March 31.
