Human Resources Manual - 304 - Contracting Out

1. As an employer, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has the right and responsibility to control and manage the workplace, including the option to provide GNWT services through contractors.  The Union of Northern Workers (UNW) Collective Agreement requires consultation with the Union prior to finalizing plans to contract out.

2. These guidelines and procedures apply to all positions in the bargaining unit of the UNW.

3. Contracting out means the tendering and contracting of bargaining unit work to agencies or businesses outside the Public Service.
4. Employer means the Government of the Northwest Territories for the Public Service as defined and limited in the Public Service Act.

5. The Employer will seek the views of the UNW before finalizing any plans to contract out work that could result in UNW bargaining unit positions becoming redundant.
6. The Employer will give all reasonable consideration to continued employment in the Public Service of employees who would otherwise become redundant because work is contracted out.

7. The Deputy Head of a Department, Board or Agency consults with the Deputy Minister of the Department of Human Resources, or their representative, regarding the need for contracting out to assess the impact on employees in the bargaining unit.
8. The Deputy Head advises the UNW of the potential for work being contracted out and provides relevant information including the rationale.
9. The UNW has 15 days to provide its views in writing.  This timeline can be extended by mutual consent.
10. The Deputy Head provides a formal response to the UNW's views prior to finalizing plans to contract out.
11. The Deputy Head may lay-off employees who become redundant as a result of contracting out.
12. If lay-off is deemed appropriate, the Deputy Head follows the guidelines and procedures outlined in the Staff Retention Policy (see Section 1602- Staff Retention Policy).

Main Collective Agreement with UNW
Article 38, Contracting Out