Please note: the application period for this award has now closed.
BACKGROUND
In 2017, the UNW filed two policy grievances (17-P-02165 and 17-P-02211) against the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) regarding the issue of the Employer’s hiring and use of casual employees across various GNWT departments that contravened the collective agreement.
This misuse included:
- hiring casual employees for periods over four months who should have been appointed to term positions;
- The systemic rehiring of casual employees with or without a 30-day artificial break in service;
- The use of casuals on an as-and-when basis, who should have been hired as “relief”.
On July 30, 2020, an Arbitrator ruled in favour of the union. The Arbitrator subsequently awarded the union a supplemental award confirming that the employer must provide a monetary remedy.
Though the UNW pushed for individual remedies, the Arbitrator ultimately decided to award a total global damage amount directly to the Union. The UNW was directed to distribute the funds in an appropriate fashion. The UNW struck an executive committee to receive and review applications from eligible members.
The award will be divided equally amongst eligible applicants who submit completed application forms on or before the application deadline of 4:00pm MST on Monday, November 3, 2025.
The UNW recognizes that by this process, the amount being awarded to each individual may not fully redress the total loss of compensation and benefits to which they are entitled. However, the Arbitrator acknowledged that the award is not intended to be a “made-whole” remedy, but rather a symbolic acknowledgement of the Employer’s failure to adhere to the collective agreement.
Applicants are required to provide sufficient documentation or information to substantiate that a misuse (one of the 3 points above) has occurred.
Applicants may be contacted by the committee and asked to provide additional information or clarification. Please ensure your contact information on the form is reliable and complete.
COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The award will be distributed equally amongst eligible individuals who submitted their application on time.
Members can only apply once: the amount of compensation is not awarded based on recurring or extended misuse.
Example: if an eligible member was employed for 6 months, they would receive the same compensation as an eligible member who was employed for 12 months.
The UNW recognizes that the amount being awarded to each individual may not fully redress the total loss of compensation and benefits to which they are entitled. This award is not intended to be a “made-whole” remedy, but rather a symbolic acknowledgement of the employer’s failure to adhere to the collective agreement.