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The 10 Josie Gould Scholarship winners have been chosen.

This year’s 10 winners of our Josie Gould Memorial Scholarships are: Christina Boggis, Jessie Casebeer, and Jeff Corey.  Anton Debogorski, Bradley Hussey, and James MacKenzie. Louise McLeod, Andrea McMullen, Melanie Morse and Amanda White. 

Each winner will receive a three thousand dollar scholarship from the Union of Northern Workers  . . .  proud to support education for Northerners, and to assist Northern students – our future workforce.  

Inuvik Regional Vice President Val Robertson set up an information booth at the recent Trade Show held in Inuvik.

 The trade show was well attended and many people stopped by the booth and took away information.   Val says she also answered many questions about the UNW.

Life Membership awarded to Paul McAdams May 20, 2010

The UNW Executive voted in May to award Brother Paul McAdams a Life Membership.  Brother McAdams has been an active UNW member for 24 years.  He has been a Local President and an RVP for the Fort Smith region.  Life Memberships are awarded to members who through personal and devoted efforts have performed exemplary services to the Union.

Brother McAdams is now semi-retired and resides in Forth Smith.

 President Todd Parsosn presents Brother Paul McAdams with a Life Membership certificate.

Protesters rally at Legislative Assembly against changes to Supp. Health Benefits Program - May 11, 2010

About 150 northerners staged a protest in front of the Legislative Assembly today.  They were protesting proposed changes to the Supplementary Health Benefits Program that will see many lose their health benefits.  The cost for individuals will be high.

Many of the demonstrators were senior citizens but many were not.  Members of the working poor were there to protest the proposed changes and indicate their support of the Union's position that the plan should be expanded not decreased.

Several MLAs left the Legislative Assembly to meet and speak with the protesters.  Petitions and postcars were signed, and MLAs promised to table them in the Assembly.

UNW rejects proposed changes to Supplementary Health Benefits Program

Sign the Petition to include everyone in the health benefits program click here

The UNW opposes the proposed changes for a number of reasons.

 - they will increase the cost of living for targeted groups like seniors, those suffering catastrophic illness and the disabled.

 - such changes will discourage northerners from retiring in the the NWT.

 - Retirees leaving would reduce transfer payments by $26,000 per person.  The cost could be in the millions.

Read the Union's whole Position Paper here, then talk to your MLA.

How the UNW sets goals and makes plans

The UNW makes use of a strategic planning system.  Once a year, the entire Executive gather to develop a set of goals for the Union and a plan to meet those goals.  Having such a blueprint allows the Union to move consistently forward to meet its goals. 

For example, the Executive wanted to grow the UNW.  Through a series of actions the UNW has added seven new employee groups in just 3 years.

Recently, through the Collective Bargaining, UNW members employed by the GNWT, saw the achievement of a long held goal Donny Days are now no longer mandatory days of unpaid leave.  Members still take the time off work BUT they get paid for those days.

Retirement Security for All

The Union of Northern Workers has joined the PSAC in a federal lobby campaign to shore up retirement security for all Canadians.  There is concern about inaccurate statements and suggestions recently made by the CD Howe Institute and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.  The PSAC is working to educate members and the public about pension plans and retirement security for Canadians.

For more information visit the PSAC web page or watch the short video presentation that has been prepared on this topic.