The Union and NTPC sat down to resume negotiations in Yellowknife from April 30th through May 2nd. This was the third set of negotiations sessions since November 2023.
With all proposals and wages on the table since February, the Union was hoping to be able to reach a tentative agreement this week or at the very least, see both parties make significant movement to get closer to one.
Unfortunately, negotiations this week resulted in long delays between meetings without any significant movement from the Employer. NTPC has tabled numerous restrictive and unrealistic concessions/rollbacks, including an insulting wage proposal.
We believe several of their proposals would be detrimental to the current and future workforce and have attempted to explain to the Employer how their out-of-touch proposals would impact the bargaining unit.
Thus far, we made as much movement as we can, while the Employer has done little to acknowledge our proposals, counter offers, and concerns.
The Union has signaled to the Employer that the parties are too far apart to reach an agreement and expects the Employer to have a revised and realistic mandate. Until such time we will be looking at all options and perhaps headed to Mediation in September.
While this is disappointing for the bargaining team, we feel our members will understand we are there to protect their best interests.
In Solidarity,
Your UNW Bargaining Team
Jacob Pokiak, Local 19
Bryan Brazeau, Local 16
Christopher Dawe, Local 22
Maxime Thibault-Gingras, PSAC Negotiator
Gayla Thunstrom UNW President