N.W.T., UNW begin work on new collective agreement, 2 years after contentious negotiations The territorial government and the Union of Northern Workers have started bargaining on another update to their collective agreement, barely two years after extended and contentious negotiations. Social Sharing A strike was narrowly avoided when territory agreed to abide by recommendations of a mediator in 2019 CBC News · Posted: Apr 16, 2021 11:36 AM CT | Last Updated: April 16 A lawn sign from 2018 showing support for the Union of Northern Workers. The last round of negotiations between the government and the union lasted years and a strike was only narrowly avoided.(Michael Hugall/CBC )