GNWT bargaining delayed because of mediator scarcity, union says

GNWT bargaining delayed because of mediator scarcity, union says Ollie Williams Sunday September 20, 2026 at 5:55am MT Union of Northern Workers headquarters in Yellowknife. Emily Blake/Cabin Radio Share The Union of Northern Workers says further talks with the NWT government over a new collective agreement are delayed until early 2027 because no mediator is available any sooner. The GNWT declared an impasse in August, a formal step that triggers mediation on the grounds that progress isn’t being made between the parties directly. Mediation was expected to begin this fall. However, in a notice to members this week, the UNW said “mediator availability has pushed our timeline back” and work is ongoing to book sessions early in the new year. The previous collective agreement, outlining employment terms for thousands of GNWT staff, lapsed at the end of March. Its terms remain in place until a new agreement is signed. Advertisement. Advertisement. Related Articles GNWT and UNW bargaining reaches ‘impasse,’ mediator to be assigned August 11, 2026 Union says it’s entering mediation with GNWT December 15, 2023 GNWT says bargaining with union has reached impasse April 22, 2024 Top Stories Want to help pick the acts for the next Folk on the Rocks? September 20, 2026 Downtown Yellowknife recycling station moves closer to reality September 20, 2026 Inuvik to hold town hall meeting after shooting tragedy September 19, 2026 Fortune Minerals granted new Nico water licence, land use permit September 19, 2026 Children’s book about music and Métis culture launching in Hay River September 19, 2026 This article written by: Ollie Williams Ollie is Cabin Radio's editor and a co-founder of the station.