As Town of Hay River workers continue to strike on Monday, some are calling for the mayor to resign.
Thirty of the Town’s workers walked out on February 9 over a wage dispute.
Last week, the Town returned to the bargaining table with an increased offer but the Union of Northern Workers, which represents Town of Hay River employees, was quick to reject it.
That rejection prompted mayor Andrew Cassidy to issue an open letter (pdf) to town employees, asking them to return to work.
But striking employees saw the offer as an ultimatum and burned it.
Read: Hay River Strike Enters Week Three, Atmosphere “Tense”
Now, as the strike enters week four, people are calling for Cassidy to step down in an online petition.
The petition says: “In an open letter to employees, The Mayor of Hay River, Andrew Cassidy, has asked for workers of the Town of Hay River to cross their own picket line and return to work for less than members were offered at the bargaining table.
“Crossing their own picket line would divide the community, pitting coworkers, friends and family against each other and prolonging the strike.
“We, the undersigned, demand Hay River Mayor resign his position because of his lack of respect for the Town of Hay River employees, a fair bargaining process and the community as a whole.”
The petition, which has a goal of 1,000 signatures, can be viewed in its entirety here.
There is currently no timetable for either party to return to the bargaining table.
