Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to provide you and my colleagues with an update and information on initiatives that have been taken on the human resource management front. Over the last year or so, I believe that significant progress has been made in several areas.
Mr. Speaker, as you may recall, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers and Northwest Territories Teachers' Association, who represent most GNWT employees, faced their most difficult challenges during collective bargaining negotiations in 1995-96. It was at this time that the GWNT was taking difficult steps to reduce its spending. These steps included changes to the compensation package of public service employees. Division of the NWT also created some tension and strain within the public service by causing uncertainty for employees. However, the current environment has become more positive and allowed for a more proactive approach to issues.
Several positive steps have recently been taken to provide a better working environment and more certainty for the public service. Last year, a Staff Retention Policy was implemented. Mr. Speaker, this policy focuses time and energy on how the GNWT can retain its staff in situations where a function is being changed and jobs are eliminated.
A Code of Conduct has been approved and is in the process of being communicated to all employees. Mr. Speaker, this code will ensure that there is public awareness of the high standard of conduct they can count on from public service employees.
Several joint initiatives have also been undertaken with the unions. A working committee that included both the NWT Teachers' Association and the Union of Northern Workers, as well as GNWT human resource managers, finalized a new Workplace Conflict Resolution Policy. This policy has now been provided to employees. Information sessions and training are being provided on the policy. The Union of Northern Workers continues to be involved in planning the communication of the policy.
Mr. Speaker, during the last round of collective bargaining with the Union of Northern Workers, several issues were raised that required greater discussion than could be devoted to them at the bargaining table. Therefore, memoranda of understanding were signed off that allowed for further discussions and exploration of solutions on these items. They included establishing joint union-management committees to discuss casual employees, development of a monitoring process for exclusions from the bargaining unit, reviewing what kinds of issues employees may have with children, and how to deal with violence in the workplace.
Committees have been established and discussions begun on all of these items. In addition, a joint committee was struck about two years ago to examine safety issues in the health care field. Discussions on these issues are proving to be productive and are allowing the parties to build a solid base of understanding on these issues.
There has also been considerable discussion and the involvement of the Union of Northern Workers on job evaluation matters. The union has participated in training on the Hay Job Evaluation method. This cooperative approach has resulted in some progress being made on more detailed procedures for the handling of job evaluation appeals. Over the summer, the union and the GNWT intend to begin to resolve more job evaluation appeal issues.
Mr. Speaker, significant progress has also been made recently in developing a northern workforce. I spoke earlier of working towards creating more stability within the NWT Public Service. Initiatives like Maximizing Northern Employment are critical to this goal. The enhanced Summer Student Program, Graduate Student Hiring Program, and the Guaranteed Employment for Graduates of the Northern Nursing, Social Work and Teaching Programs will serve to ensure that more Northerners obtain experience and jobs in the North. These initiatives also recognize that the GNWT must take active steps to encourage Northerners to further their education. Mr. Speaker, over the long term, this will serve to improve the NWT labour market and reduce reliance on imported labour.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to providing you with further updates in the future. We will continue to build on the progress made to date. I know the result will be an improved public service and continued work with our employees' unions to proactively address issues. Thank you.
-- Applause