Fort Smith Housing Authority workers could strike Monday

The eight employees of the Fort Smith Housing Authority will go on strike Monday morning unless a contract deal is reached over the weekend, their union says.

The workers, represented by the Union of Northern Workers and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, served their employer with a 72-hour strike notice on Friday.  

The employees include carpenters, plumbers, painters and other workers who manage and maintain the 150 N.W.T.-owned housing units in Fort Smith. A foreman that works with the group would be available if there were emergency work required during a labour dispute.

The union says it has been in contract talks for more than six months.

Todd Parsons, president of the Union of Northern Workers, says the workers are asking for a three-year deal with 2.75 per cent wage increases in the first and second year and a 3.25 per cent increase in the third year.

They also want increases to the vacation allowance and retirement severance packages.

Parsons said the two sides aren't too far apart in terms of reaching a deal, and that a negotiator is on their way to the community if the authority is willing to return to the table.