Union of Northern Workers (UNW) members braved -37 C weather to show their readiness to strike today.
Dozens of members and supporters picketed in front of the government building on 49 Street at lunchtime ahead of mediation next week. The union and the GNWT have been negotiating a new collective agreement since January 2016.
UNW president Todd Parsons thanked members and supporters for coming out and braving the cold.
February 1, 2019.
UNW President Todd Parsons speaks at a picket on Friday.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 very heartening to see members of the UNW standing up and fighting for whatSA国际影视传媒檚 right!SA国际影视传媒� he said.
SA国际影视传媒淓nough is enough. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 time to resolve this. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 simple.SA国际影视传媒�
The union wants the government to return to the table and SA国际影视传媒減rovide fair, negotiated settlementSA国际影视传媒� for all three groups of employees; the government group, the power corporation and Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, Parsons said.
SA国际影视传媒淲e are not bluffing,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
SA国际影视传媒淲e will strike if you donSA国际影视传媒檛 give us a fair deal.SA国际影视传媒�
The union and the GNWT are scheduled to head back to the bargaining table next weekend.
SA国际影视传媒淲e are going to continue to fight this and next weekend will be the last weekend," said Parsons. "WeSA国际影视传媒檒l get a deal or weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to walk.SA国际影视传媒�
The community depends on its public servants said Parsons.
SA国际影视传媒淧roud public servants, fighting for crumbs. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e only asking right now for cost of living increase for ChristSA国际影视传媒檚 sake!SA国际影视传媒�
Parsons said the government is spending hundreds of millions of dollars in surplus on infrastructure.
SA国际影视传媒淕ive us a portion of that money,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
SA国际影视传媒淲e deserve to thrive in the North. How can we thrive when we live paycheque to paycheque?SA国际影视传媒�
Many at the picket voiced their frustrations with the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 negotiations.
February 1, 2019.
Dozens of UNW members braved the cold to picket in front of the government building on 49 St. today.
Local 33 and GNWT bargaining member Josee-Ann Thibault spoke at the picket on Friday.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e here today to tell our employer we need them to meaningfully negotiate during mediation next week, something they have failed to do in the last three years,SA国际影视传媒� said Thibault.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 enough!SA国际影视传媒�
Local 11 chief shop steward Crystal Walsh said her young son wanted to be there in support, but the weather was too cold for him.
SA国际影视传媒淢any of you here today have friends and family members that support you,SA国际影视传媒� said Walsh.
SA国际影视传媒淭hese friends and family members may also be impacted by this strike, whether they own local businesses, or feel the effects of the penny-pinching in other ways, they know our financial stress right now.SA国际影视传媒�
Department of Finance spokespersonTodd Sasaki said both parties will head back to mediation along with mediator Vince Ready next week.
SA国际影视传媒淭he GNWT will be attending the February 8 and 9 mediation with the sole goal of concluding a new collective agreement,SA国际影视传媒� said Sasaki in an email.
Under the Public Service Act, when mediation concludes, the mediator will either provide both parties with a report recommending a resolution of their differences, or stating that he will not make recommendations and will give the reasons why.
SA国际影视传媒淚n our view if the parties are unable to conclude an agreement at the upcoming mediation, the GNWT and the UNW should be jointly requesting that Mr. Ready provide the parties with recommendations to resolve the outstanding issues,SA国际影视传媒� stated Sasaki.
