Mediator Jacquie de Aguayo has determined that the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) have reached an impasse in their efforts to reach a new collective agreement.

Mediation between the GNWT and UNW began on December 14, 2023. At the conclusion of the most recent mediation session on April 20, 2024, Mediator de Aguayo noted that the parties are too far apart on key issues to reach an agreement at this time. She requested that each party submit their “best and last proposals” by May 3, 2024 and will then issue non-binding recommendations for the parties’ consideration.

The GNWT remains committed to concluding a collective agreement with the UNW that is fair to employees, fiscally responsible and financially sustainable.

The GNWT offers a competitive salary and benefits package that is among the most generous in Canada. To retain this competitive advantage, the GNWT remains prepared to conclude a collective agreement that is comparable or better than recent public service agreements reached elsewhere in Canada. This includes measures to address reconciliation, wages that address cost of living challenges and benefits that will retain and assist in the recruitment of qualified staff, in particular health care professionals.

The GNWT thanks Mediator de Aguayo for the progress made through mediation.

For media requests, please contact:
Toyeke Adedipe
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Finance
Government of the Northwest Territories
Adetoyeke_Adedipe@gov.nt.ca