Mr. Speaker, as we are seeing, the threat of a work stoppage looms large every day. Four thousand workers across the territory have been without a contract for more than two years, and they are frustrated. On the other side is a government that is walking a very narrow line between supporting economic growth and pinching every possible penny.
Mr. Speaker, I am not one of those who will stand up and suggest the government has lots of money and should be ever more generous with our workers. I know we have all worked too hard in the 18th Assembly, keeping a careful eye on spending, and I know for a fact that every dollar is being stretched.
On the other hand, I see the UNW membership not as opponents but as members of the same team. Any good policy idea, program, or service that gets debated in this Chamber will one day need our highly skilled team of employees to make it happen. The union membership deserves our gratitude and respect for the contribution they make to our standard of living throughout the entire NWT.
It's not my place to comment on specifics, but the membership feels as though it's been given nothing for a long time. In this room, as I have said, we know how hard the pennies are to come by. As partners with them, we can see that is a problem.
However, the alternative, job action, is a blunt weapon. It will hurt everyone; the membership, the local businesses we all shop at, the rising debt of those temporarily out of work, and the clients of the many government programs that will have to be suspended or delayed. No one benefits from a job action in this case.
So, Mr. Speaker, I will echo the words of my colleague from Kam Lake earlier this week. I urge participants from all sides of these negotiations to not give up, to keep at the bargaining, and to continue seeking compromises that can lead to a resolution. None of us will be better off if job action takes place, especially with a fragile economy. Negotiations must not fail. We must reach a compromise that allows our professional, engaged public servants to go back to work, confident that their contributions are needed, valued, and respected. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.