The Town of Hay River and Union of Northern Workers are resuming negotiations to end a two-month-long strike.
More than 30 town workers have been out on strike – in a dispute focused on proposed salary increases – since February 9.
According to a news release from the union on Wednesday, talks will resume on Sunday, April 19 and last into Monday, April 20.
The two sides are believed to have only met once, briefly, since the strike began. The union walked out just minutes into that attempt at negotiations, saying the town’s slightly improved offer was unacceptable.
Strike developments
February 25: Hay River strike will continue as union rejects new offer
April 9: Strike hits two-month mark, picketers to amp up efforts
This time around, the workers’ bargaining team is “optimistic that a fair deal can be reached” according to Jack Bourassa, who represents the Public Service Alliance of Canada in the NWT.
Most recently, the union had threatened to picket a series of major events coming to Hay River, including May’s AGM of the NWT Association of Communities, and the summer’s track and field tournament.
