The Union of Northern Workers will hold strike vote meetings ahead of January mediation with the NWT government, calling the vote a tool to help get a better deal.
A collective agreement for thousands of territorial government workers expired at the end of March. Its terms remain in place until a new deal is reached.
The union has said it was surprised when the GNWT asked for a third-party mediator in August, and has described the territory’s message of difficult economic circumstances as “getting old.”
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The GNWT has said it is focused “on finding common ground.”
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A “yes” strike vote among unionized GNWT staff does not automatically trigger strike action, but provides the union with the authority to call a strike if it chooses later.
So far, the union has listed strike vote meetings in Hay River this coming week. It has also published a Q&A for members.
“The Bargaining Team is meeting with the Employer for mediation the first two weeks of January and nothing will happen before that. The team will focus solely on trying to get a good deal and avoiding job action,” states the Q&A, which is dated November 13.
“A strong strike mandate (ie, a majority of voting members vote in favour of possible strike) is a tool for the Bargaining Team. It is proof to tell the Employer and the Mediator that the UNW members support the work and decisions of the bargaining team.”
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The union notes that while the strike vote is a bargaining tool, it is “also a real and actionable strike vote” that can result in a walkout.
Regarding the type of action that might be taken, the Q&A states: “The Union would not want to tip our hand and let the GNWT know what strike action we would take. The Strike Committee would assess effective targets, timing, and impact. Strike plans and actions are reviewed constantly, and may change as required to be the most effective.”
According to the union, mediation is scheduled for January 4-6 plus extra dates of January 11-12 if necessary.
In September, after bargaining talks broke down, the UNW said the sides remained “far apart” on how GNWT workers’ northern allowance should change, proposed wage increases, and improvements to government workers’ leave.
Other outstanding items listed by the union included “enhancing healthcare worker retention through general improvements and scheduling flexibility,” plus changes to the GNWT’s job classification system.
The details of each side’s proposals are not known. They are generally kept secret until a new deal is reached.
The closest the GNWT’s unionized workforce has come to a general strike in recent times was in early 2019, when last-ditch mediation averted a strike the day before it was due to come into effect.
