Bargaining between the NWT government and Union of Northern Workers is gradually gaining momentum after the latest collective agreement expired.
The deal governing employment terms for thousands of GNWT staff lapsed at the end of March. Its terms will remain in place until a new agreement is reached.
In the past, negotiations have sometimes dragged on for years after an agreement’s expiry date.
This time around, the union reported to its members this week that the two parties are “still at the very early stages of bargaining.”
Meetings of the two bargaining teams took place between April 13-24.
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Topics include the transition of Hay River health authority workers to becoming GNWT employees – a recently agreed move with a 2027 implementation date – alongside “improvements designed to support and protect employees in the event of future mandatory evacuations or emergencies.”
The union said it has also raised unspecified amendments related to article 40 of the collective agreement, which pertains to safety at work.
Injury on duty leave and “the use of AI in the workplace” are other matters being discussed.
The next bargaining dates are set for July, the union reported.
“Your team will meet in June to finalize a comprehensive financial proposal,” members were told.
