NorthwesTel, union “too far apart” for deal

PATRICIA D’SOUZA

The conciliation officer brought in to help NorthwesTel and the union representing 375 employees end the strike that has dragged on for the past six weeks says the two sides aren’t ready for mediation.

Bill Lewis, a senior conciliation officer appointed by the federal minister of labour, said that neither party has formally requested mediation, but that “both have agreed that the best way to settle this is for third-party involvement.”

Lewis, based in Vancouver, was brought in as a conciliator earlier this year to help the two sides reach an agreement.

The process of conciliation gives the two sides a set time — in this case, 60 days — to resolve their dispute. A breakdown in that process led to the strike, which began on May 27.

Representatives from NorthwesTel and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the union representing the employees, met informally last Wednesday to discuss the union’s latest offer, said Cary Gryba, unit chairperson for Local 1574.

“We were too far apart,” Gryba said. The two sides have been as close as one per cent away from a deal in previous discussions.

“Bill Lewis has been contacted,” Gryba added. “Bill is willing to come up any time.”

Lewis confirmed that he is willing to serve as a mediator between the two sides, but said he has not been asked to do so.

Picketers injured

The two sides seem even further apart after two union members were injured on Main Street in Whitehorse, while picketing in front of a NorthwesTel truck last Thursday.

“I can confirm that there was an incident involving a NorthwesTel vehicle and three striking workers in downtown Whitehorse,” Gryba said.

“The manager in the NorthwesTel vehicle moved the vehicle and two members were injured.”

The picketers sought medical treatment for their injuries, Gryba said, though he could not specify what those injuries were.

“There is likely to be civil litigation,” he said. “The members did swear formal complaints.”

Anne Grainger, the director of public affairs for NorthwesTel, called the incident “an alleged incident,” saying “it is not confirmed that it was an incident.”

The RCMP are investigating, she said.

The police were called in once again this past Wednesday, because the company believed that picketers were restricting safe access to the NorthwesTel compound in Yellowknife.

“Picketers were positioning themselves in such a way that vehicles didn’t have clear access,” Grainger said. “And they can’t do that.”

Police did not respond, she added. Instead, RCMP directed the company to obtain an injunction against the union, to ensure that picketers don’t block the building.

“They just don’t want to talk to us,” Gryba said. “Their actions speak louder than words.”