Guy Quenneville
Wednesday, December 19, 2007

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Ekati agreement ratified

Union members at the Ekati Diamond Mine, some 400 in all, ratified a new collective agreement on-site at the mine in two instalments, with one rotation of workers voting in late November and the other rotation voting last week.

"It's a very good agreement, particularly when it comes to wages," said Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, a spokesperson for the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which negotiated the agreement on behalf of workers.

Wages for workers are in line with the cost of living, plus one and a quarter per cent, and will automatically be adjusted in the face of further increases in the cost of living.

"No one will lose their purchasing power," said Des Lauriers.

The four-year collective agreement also includes a performance-based incentive program, improved job security and a new dispute resolution process.

French connection

A representative from the Conseil de developpement economique des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (CDETNO) - which represents francophone business interests in the area - recently returned from a trip to France.

Six presentations on the economic condition of the NWT and its employability levels were given to approximately 1,800 French citizens.

"It was a big success - it exceeded our expectations," said Sylvie Francoeur, general director of CDETNO.

"There are a lot of assumptions about the North that we wanted to clear up."

Free parking

The NWT Chamber of Commerce once again successfully campaigned for free parking during the Christmas shopping season. The city will not be enforcing parking meters in the Central Business District throughout the holiday season until Dec. 31.

"This will be really good for downtown businesses," said Jim Eirikson, chamber president.

Permitting growth

As of the end of November, the City of Yellowknife had sold a total of 486 building permits worth $84,387,200 in 2007 - up from 567 permits worth $37,802,124 in the same period in 2006. Commercial permits more than tripled in value to $70,460,166.

"A couple of larger projects went forward this year, St-Cyr school addition, RTL tank farm, expansion of the Explorer Hotel and the four-storey office building on 52 Street. I would suppose these projects will strengthen the economy," said Bill Fandrick, building inspections manager with the city's planning and development department.