MLAs from Yellowknife and Nahendeh are urging the GNWT to head back to the bargaining table with the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) over concerns that a looming strike is putting a chill on the economy.

Spending is down at local businesses and people are preemptively SA国际影视传媒減inching their penniesSA国际影视传媒� in the event there is a strike, said MLA Cory Vanthuyne.

SA国际影视传媒淏usinesses rely on an influx in spending around the holidays to cushion them throughout the year,SA国际影视传媒� said Vanthuyne. SA国际影视传媒淭here are people who are legitimately concerned about what their cash flow will be like for the rest of the year.SA国际影视传媒�

MLAs Kevin OSA国际影视传媒橰eilly, Julie Green, Kieron Testart, Cory Vanthuyne and Shane Thompson penned an open letter Wednesday asking for a SA国际影视传媒渟wift resolutionSA国际影视传媒� to the bargaining impasse.

The MLAs gave Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod feedback from constituents that a lull in talks is having an effect on family life and the economy.

SA国际影视传媒淲e understand that both parties are under a great deal of pressure to reach a fair collective agreement. As difficult as this is across the NWT, the consequences of failure should also service as strong incentive to bargain in good faith,SA国际影视传媒� the letter states.

In response to YellowkniferSA国际影视传媒檚 questions about whether the GNWT is considering back to work legislation, the finance department said that its focus is on finalizing a collective agreement with the UNW.

SA国际影视传媒淭he GNWT has offered to return to the bargaining table, with or without the mediator, and we remain available to meet with the UNW at any time,SA国际影视传媒� said Todd Sasaki, spokesperson for the department.

The GNWT confirmed new mediation dates with the mediatorSA国际影视传媒檚 office for Feb. 8.

The UNW confirmed it is willing to return to the bargaining table to avert strike action.

While MLAs have no intention of playing an SA国际影视传媒渁ctive roleSA国际影视传媒� in negotiations, members from Yellowknife and Nahendeh are speaking on behalf of constituents who could be affected by a loss of services, including health, said Vanthuyne.

SA国际影视传媒淲e just cannot afford at this time to have limited services to our constituents. For members of the union, theySA国际影视传媒檙e all pinching their pennies and being careful with their spending if something were to happen. We donSA国际影视传媒檛 want to see people get so frustrated that they give consideration to leaving,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Putting out the letter was not taken lightly by MLAs, said Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart.

SA国际影视传媒淲e know there are a lot of strong feelings on both sides of this issue. The MLAs decided the situation has become unbearable for our constituents. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e heard concerns that not only our public sector is worried, but private sector,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Retail spending is on the downswing, with direct effects on the economy as people fear divisive strike action, said Testart.

MLAs have to prepare for any possible situation, including whether back-to-work legislation is brought forward by cabinet, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淲e are unsure of how that would work in our legislative environment. We want to prepare for any situation,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

As the federal government legislated postal workers on rotating strike back to work, such legislation is SA国际影视传媒渙n the minds of Northerners, because we are three years without a collective agreement,SA国际影视传媒� said Testart.

SA国际影视传媒淚 hope it doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 come to that. I hope we can get both sides back to the table and reach a fair deal. It seems increasingly difficult for that to happen and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 unfortunate,SA国际影视传媒� said Testart.

He urged the government to use its will to build consensus to do the same at the bargaining table.

SA国际影视传媒淥ften times when political priorities are identified, cabinet can find the money and the first person who would tell you that is the finance minister,SA国际影视传媒� said Testart.

The most recent indexing of cost of living increases shows the territory saw a 2.5 per cent increase in cost of living, which the GNWT has done little to alleviate, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey are pleading poverty over a $1.7-billion budget,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that the issue is not purely about wages.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat is not the only sticking point. Job security is a long running concern of Northern workers. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not just about the money. We need to look at everything on the table,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

The GNWT has a good track record of money management, has a double A credit rating and has managed large shocks before.

(See: purchasing Northern Transportation Company LimitedSA国际影视传媒檚 assets and bailing out ratepayers in 2015 after a dry season forced the power corporation to burn diesel.)

SA国际影视传媒淲e can build in the kind of wage increase that keeps up with the cost of living. Zero per cent is just not acceptable,SA国际影视传媒� said Testart.