Dominion Diamond, workers' union, reach tentative agreement in Ekati dispute

Dominion Diamond Mines and the Union of Northern Workers have reached a tentative agreement in their dispute over employees at Ekati mine.

According to a joint press release Tuesday afternoon, Dominion and the union reached an agreement Monday "that will see changes that both parties feel will address their respective concerns."

• Dominion Diamond threatens to lay off 150 employees atEkatimine, says union
• Union accuses Dominion Diamond of 'union-busting' in plan to lay off 150 workers

Once ratified, approximately 150 entry-level workers at the mine that were facing potential layoffswill be able to keep their jobs.

"We are pleased that we have been able to agree on an alternative approach that saves our members' jobs. The tentative agreement will provide job security for all our bargaining unit members," union president Todd Parsons said in a statement.

This is a good day forEkatiand its employees.- Dominion CEOPatrick Evans

The agreement comes after Dominion notified the union on May 10 that, unless an agreement could be reached, it would contract out a portion of its surface operations by Oct.1 citing "excessive costs" due to "unacceptably high levels of absenteeism."

The union thenfiled a grievance with the employer on May 15 and an unfair labour practice complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Labour Board on May 18.

Many of the jobs are held by Indigenous northerners and during the disputeTlichochiefs met withEkatimanagement and workers to discuss their concerns.

"This is a good day for Ekati and its employees," Dominion CEO Patrick Evans stated.

"Our preference is that our own employees perform the surface mining operations work and the new agreement allows us to do this, while ensuring we are able to control our costs by addressing the longstanding absenteeism issues and improve the morale and productivity of our employees."

• Ekati layoffs dispute continues

The tentative agreement also includes terms for a new collective agreement that will be in effect through May 2022.

The terms of the agreement will take effect once they are ratified by both parties' principals which will be finalized by July 25.

The press release says neither party will be providing further comments about the terms of the agreement at this time.

CBC has contacted both the union and Dominion for an interview.