To win gains in salaries and the establishment of an appeal process for employees unhappy with job evaluations under the new Hay Plan system, union negotiators accepted the government's refusal to re-introduce vacation travel assistance and housing allowances. That gives us some comfort. An appeal board will consist of one representative from the employee, one from the union, and an independent chairperson. Workman said there was some pressure from the union membership to put an offer to a vote, but negotiators wanted to get the best deal they could without giving up certain rights in exchange for a boost in salaries and benefits. The contract, which will include Nunavut employees, will expire in March, 2000.
Workman hopes for smoother, more open talks.
We're a developing territorial government with a developing territorial public service. I hoping the theme of the day for the new government will be that they'll want to keep people and develop people, so the investment they put in in benefits and programs will be repaid with long-term and dedicated work. Workman says the new government must improve the benefits of territorial employees if it intends to attract long-term employees. The federal government and the land claim groups offer their employees quite extensive northern benefits. The territorial government has not done its job in recruiting a long term work force from the aboriginal groups in Nunavut, as well as other workforce.