You can count the Union of Northern Workers among those not thrilled with the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 decision to not offer compensation to those who drove out of the territory during the initial hours of the evacuation.

A letter signed by UNW president Gayla Thunstrom was circulated to the unionSA国际影视传媒檚 membership on Wednesday. SA国际影视传媒 obtained a copy of the letter, which outlined her disappointment with how things played out.

She noted that residents of Yellowknife, Dettah, the Ingraham Trail, Ndilo, as well as evacuees from South Slave communities who were in Yellowknife, were given last minute direction through the evacuation order. There was no advance notice or alert, and no advance information or instruction on how an evacuation would proceed, and no ability to prepare.

Residents were asked by the GNWT to travel by car if they could so as not to take away seats on evacuation flights from those who needed to fly out.

Thunstrom stated that there are many situations in which residents will need assistance SA国际影视传媒� practically and financially SA国际影视传媒� to return to their home communities, even if they scrambled to obtain a ride out by road.

SA国际影视传媒淩esidents car pooled and, upon reaching destinations, separated to stay with friends or relatives, go to evacuation centres to get accommodation assistance, etc.,SA国际影视传媒� she wrote. SA国际影视传媒淢any may not be able to reunite to car pool on the return, and will require a flight home.SA国际影视传媒�

Jennifer Young, director of corporate affairs for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, said in a press conference Monday evening that those who drove out on their own would be expected to make their way back on their own with no help from the GNWT.

Thunstrom wrote that it wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 only those who drove that would be facing hardships in returning SA国际影视传媒� she stated that those who flew on a scheduled flight would be affected and those who evacuated Hay River and Fort Smith would have depleted any savings or cash reserves by now.

SA国际影视传媒淭here are many UNW members who are in these or similar situations,SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淯nion members are historically better paid and have better benefits than non-unionized workers SA国际影视传媒� so if my members are desperately struggling financially and need the support of their government, I can only imagine the critical predicament of other residents.SA国际影视传媒�

Thunstrom closed the letter by asking mayors, councils and Indigenous governments to persuade the GNWT to change its mind.