Territorial Employers need to Stop the Wage Squeeze

It’s time for employers in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to keep up with inflation. Inflation is currently hovering at 7-8 % and there is not a lot that anyone in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut can do about controlling that. Our social media and news outlets are filled with examples of how prices have grown in unsustainable ways. Unfortunately, every resident is feeling it’s pinch.

The one thing that can be controlled in the Territories is wages and those wages are controlled by employers who are bargaining stubbornly at almost every table in each Territory. From our affiliates the NTFL is hearing that employers are offering 1.5 or 2 percent increases per year which in real wages is actually a concession. A 2 percent increase in a year with 8 percent inflation actually equates to a loss in 6 percent of an employees buying power. This has a real trickle down effect on the economy in a small system like the NWT or Nunavut.

Employees feeling the pinch will start spending only on needs and many community minded small businesses will suffer along with the rest of the territory. Wages that don’t keep up with inflation aren’t good for anyone. A healthy and successful Territory relies on fair wages for Labour and this wont be accomplished with concessionary bargaining from employers.

Let employers in the NWT and Nunavut know you want them to bargain fairly, withdraw their concessions from the bargaining table and Stop the Squeeze!