GNWT
GNWT BARGAINING UNDERWAY!
GNWT and UNW Reach Tentative Agreement
The Union of Northern Workers (UNW) and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) have reached a tentative agreement for a new 4-year collective agreement.
The UNW members of the GNWT bargaining unit must now VOTE to ratify the agreement. The GNWT will do the same. The agreement does not come into effect until both sides have ratified the agreement.
- Updated Ratification Meeting Schedule (Communities) - click HERE
- Ratification Meeting Schedule (incl. Yellowknife) - click HERE
- Press release - click HERE
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Ratification Package - click HERE
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Signed Memorandum of Settlement (April 13, 2012) - click HERE
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All other previously signed articles - click HERE
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Aurora College Security Staff training commitment letter - click HERE
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Stanton relief/casual workers letter - click HERE
Do you live in a community where there is no ratification meeting? You will receive information by mail (to your residence address) on how to vote.
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April 13, 2012 - Strike Vote Meetings Cancelled
Stayed tuned for more information on Monday.
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April 11, 2012 - Update
In an effort to reach a new Collective Agreement, the UNW and the GNWT have agreed to return to the bargaining table. The two parties will meet on April 12th and 13th.
“We believe it is in the best interests of both parties as well as the citizens of the Northwest Territories that we reach a Collective Agreement without a work stoppage if we can,” the Union said in a letter to the GNWT.
Among the key outstanding issues are wages, duration of the agreement, minimum rest periods between shifts, whistleblowing protection, and equal treatment for shift workers.
We will update you on our progress as soon as possible following our meetings.
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April 10, 2012 - Enter to Win a Trip for 2 to Edmonton
Click HERE to see our GNWT Comic Book. Read the instructions carefully on how to enter to win! Open to all UNW members.
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April 10, 2012 Strike Vote Meetings - April
Signed members who reside in Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Simpson, Norman Wells & Inuvik should have received information by mail regarding upcoming strike vote meetings in these communities.
UNW President Todd Parsons, along with some of the bargaining team members, will be in attendance at all of these meetings to give an overview and provide information.
Click HERE for these times & locations.
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April 2, 2012 - PSAC National President Coming to Yellowknife!
PSAC National President John Gordon will be in attendance at the strike vote meetings in Yellowknife on April 4th and 5th. He will be in Yellowknife to show his solidarity and support for our members!
Please note: Due to the high interest, the April 5th Noon meeting location has changed - it will now be held at the Yellowknife Inn Copper Room.
See below for more strike vote meeting dates & locations in other communities.
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March 23, 2012 - NTPC Applies for Power Rates Increase
The Northwest Territories Power Corporation has applied for a general rates increase that could see power costs rise by 29% over the next 4 years.
Click HERE to read the CBC story.
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March 21, 2012 - Strike Vote Meetings - Dates Set in April
Signed members who reside in Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Simpson, Norman Wells & Inuvik should have received information regarding upcoming strike vote meetings in these communities.
UNW President Todd Parsons, along with some of the bargaining team members, will be in attendance at all of these meetings to give an overview and provide information.
Click HERE for these dates & locations.
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March 16, 2012 - GNWT Bargaining Comic Book!
Click HERE to see our GNWT Comic Book! Check back for new comics every week or so!
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March 14, 2011 - In the News Today
CBC reports: "Northern Economy Poised to Outperform" Click HERE to read the online story on the CBC website.
Click HERE to read a more detailed online story from Newswire.
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March 8, 2012 - What Now?
UNW Members have heard that talks have broken off last week and may be wondering what happens now. Click HERE to access a timeline of what happens next according to the Public Service Act.
Members - Keep an eye on your mail! Correspondence will be coming to your residence address with further information. Please contact UNW HQ ASAP if your mailing address at home has changed recently.
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March 2, 2012 - Talks Break Off
Talks for a new contract between the GNWT and the UNW broke down on March 1st, despite many efforts by the Union bargaining team to reach deal.
Communique to members - click HERE
Press release - click HERE
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February 27 - March 1, 2012 Bargaining
GNWT Counter Proposal to UNW - Feb. 27/12 - Click HERE
GNWT Financial Information to UNW - Feb. 28/12 - Click HERE
UNW Counter Proposal to GNWT - Feb. 28/12 - Click HERE
GNWT Counter Proposal to UNW - Feb. 29/12 - Click HERE
UNW Counter Proposal to GNWT - Feb. 29/12 - Click HERE
GNWT Counter Proposal to UNW - Mar. 1/12 - Click HERE
UNW Counter Proposal to GNWT - Mar. 1/12 - Click HERE
(Links to GNWT proposals will redirect you to the GNWT website.)
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February 24, 2012
GNWT Employees / UNW Members Brave the Cold to Protect Their Collective Agreement (Rally at the Legislative Assembly)
Click HERE to read the press release announcing the rally at the Legislative Assembly.
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Inuvik Regional Meeting - For Locals 3 & 29
Tue. February 21 at 6:00 pm - Sir Alexander Mackenzie School Gym
Can't attend in person? Teleconference 1-866-969-8429 ID 4772775#
Hay River Regional Meeting - for Local 6
Tue. February 21 at 7:00 pm at the Legion
Can't attend in person? Teleconference 1-866-969-8429 ID 741766#
Somba K'e Regional Meeting - for Locals 1, 28, 32, 33
Thu. February 23 at 5:30 pm at Northern United Place
North Great Slave Regional Meeting - for Locals 9, 10, 11
Thu. February 23 at 7:30 pm at Northern United Place
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February 1, 2012
Click here to view our informational brochure for members regarding bargaining to date.
Bargaining Update - click here to read the most recent bargaining update to bargaining members. Included in this document are the dates for the upcoming regional meetings. (Please note that only signed members can attend union meetings.) These dates are also available in our online calendar.
January 20, 2012
Bargaining Communique Available Now:
"Six cents an hour. That’s the increase the lowest-paid GNWT employees would receive in the first year of a new contract, under the Government’s opening wage offer."
Click HERE to read the rest of the document. (pdf format)
January 17, 2012
The bargaining team tabled the following pay proposal today.
The Union is proposing a 3 year collective agreement; expiring on March 31, 2015.
Pay Adjustments and Increases
The Union is proposing increases in pay for this agreement that are very reasonable given the general economic circumstances. Our aim is to protect the financial well-being of our members and take into consideration the high cost of living in the North. The following increases may be achieved in a variety of ways, such as annual economic increases and adjustments to pay grids.
April 1, 2012 3.25% increase
April 1, 2013 3.25% increase
April 1, 2014 3.25% increase
Allowances and Premiums
Northern Allowance
Increase transportation factor by $250 effective April 1, 2013
Increase cost-of-living factor by $200 effective April 1, 2014
January 16 , 2012
Bargaining reconvened this week. GNWT employee members, make sure to drop the bargaining team a line from this website with comments or even just messages of support!
December 22, 2011
Your bargaining team has commenced negotiations for a new collective agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories.
The parties exchanged proposals on December 19, followed by three days of bargaining.
Your team is pleased to report that we reached agreement with the Employer that will result in directing joint occupational health and safety committees at GNWT worksites across the territory to develop procedures to ensure the safety and security of employees who are required to work alone.
The bargaining teams also signed off on a large number of housekeeping issues.
Your team was disappointed, however, that the Employer did not respond to many of the Union’s substantive proposals.
We were also disappointed to find that the Employer had brought a number of concessions to the table, including many proposals under Article 22 – Hours of Work that would allow the Employer to exercise complete control over employees’ work schedules.
Your bargaining team has told the GNWT that we are not interested in further eroding the work-life balance of our members, which a change in hours of work would do.
In addition, your Union has tabled proposals and begun discussions on topics such as rest periods following call- backs and overtime, as well as whistleblower protection.
We are back at the bargaining table the week of January 16, 2012. Please stay tuned for further developments.
December 19, 2011
The GNWT and the UNW will begin negotiations this afternoon, and for the rest of the week, on the contract which expires on March 31, 2011.
Bargaining will continue the week of January 16th and the week of February 27th.
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Initial Proposal Packages (exchanged on December 19)
UNW's proposal package. (Section A9.03 to A9.16 added on Dec. 22/11)
GNWT's proposal package. (You will be redirected their webpage.)
GNWT follow up proposals. (You will be redirected to their webpage.)
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*For continued updates, check back to to this page.