“Yellowknife Prepares for Strike and Lockout as Negotiations Continue”

YELLOWKNIFE — Unionized workers in the city of Yellowknife are preparing to go on strike, and the city is preparing to lock out workers as both sides try to secure a new collective agreement.

The city and the Union of Northern Workers, a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, were in mediation Monday and expect negotiations to resume Tuesday.

The union told the city on Saturday that workers it represents will go on strike on Wednesday if an agreement is not reached.

The city responded by saying it would lock out personnel at that time.

A work stoppage would involve the closure of the public library, pool, community arena and garbage dump to the public, although emergency services, including fire and ambulance, could continue.

Both the city and the union said they are committed to the negotiation process and hope to negotiate an agreement.

The previous collective agreement expired at the end of 2021.

Collective bargaining between the city and the union broke down late last year and the parties entered arbitration proceedings.

Unionized workers voted to go on strike last month after the union turned down a last-ditch offer from the city.

The city and union then agreed to re-enter mediated negotiations this week.

The city said it was disappointed with the union’s strike notice, adding it would result in reduced services.

But the union said the strike notice was required by law and the lockout notice “casts serious doubts” about the city’s intentions to reach an agreement.

“Workers will not be intimidated by this surprise lockdown notice,” Lorraine Rousseau, regional executive vice president of Public Service Alliance Canada North, said in a statement.

“Workers don’t want service disruption. Workers deserve respect, appreciation and a fair deal.”

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on February 6, 2023.

Emily Blake, The Canadian Press

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