Media Releases

Negotiations Break Down

The City of Yellowknife (the City) and PSAC Local X0345, as represented by the UNW (the Union), returned to the bargaining table on Monday, February 13, 2023.  The City is disappointed to confirm that the Union chose to end bargaining and left the table at 6:00 p.m. without responding to the City’s latest offer.

The City has offered a fair deal, including base wage increases of 2% per year for 2022 and 2023 (totaling 4% more than what employees are currently making). The City also increased its...

Ashes Suspected of Garbage Collection Fire

Disposal of ashes in garbage bins can cause serious issues at Yellowknife’s Solid Waste Facility (SWF) and for our community. On Friday, February 3, 2023, a load of waste collected by Kavanaugh Waste Management, on behalf of the City of Yellowknife, was on fire.  The suspected cause of the fire was hot ash discarded in garbage bins. 

This past summer, lithium-ion batteries were also improperly disposed and suspected to have caused two separate fires at the Solid Waste Facility.

Kavanaugh Waste...

Balancing a Fair and Affordable Agreement

The City’s objective remains to negotiate a collective agreement that is fair, respects the important role City employees play in Yellowknife, and is affordable for the city’s residents and businesses. 

The Union’s latest proposal to the City, as reported by the CBC, includes a 5% wage increase in 2022, a 3% wage increase in 2023; a $1000 signing bonus for all unionized staff, an $800 per year increase to vacation travel assistance, 2 additionaldays personal leave, additional medical travel leave...

City Remains Ready to Negotiate

The City of Yellowknife is committed to keeping the public informed throughout the current labour dispute. Regular updates will be issued to residents and posted to the City’s website.

Update for February 9, 2023:

• The City remains committed to returning to the negotiating table at any time and have asked the Union to set a date.

• The City has a counter-offer to share.

• The City is committed to reaching a fair, respectful and affordable agreement.

We thank all residents for their patience during this...

City Still Prepared and Waiting to Negotiate

The City of Yellowknife would like to provide additional information on the bargaining negotiations with PSAC Local X0345, represented by the UNW (the Union).

On Tuesday, the Union told the City unless it moved away from its current offer of a 2% base wage increase in each year (totaling 4% more than what employees are currently making) it would not continue discussions. The City is surprised the Union would not work on creative options and is only focused on base wages.

The City was – and still...