Efforts to reach a contract with the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA ) failed last week, according to a issued by the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) on Monday.

The UNW has been negotiating with the HRHSSA for 18 months and a federal conciliator was introduced in the last round of talks on Dec. 11 and 12.

Todd Parsons, president of the UNW said the HRHSSA bargaining team as "not taking the collective bargaining seriously" and called the employer's tone "disrespectful and insulting."

About 200 UNW members work with the HRHSSA and has proposed three per cent wage increases in each year of a three-year agreement. Other benefits being requested are a fuel and utilities allowance, improved shift premiums, and the ability for new employees to join the pension plan after six months.

The UNW continues to represent members working for the Northern Territories Power Corporation and the GNWT during ongoing collective agreement talks.