By Andrew de Souza

Atkinson wants manager wages frozen

Feb 15, 2011 | 5:20 AM

The city should freeze wages of its management employees in city hall, protective services and other departments, said city councillor Lee Atkinson.

“We’re in a very difficult budget, and I think we need to show some leadership,” Atkinson said.

“Whether it be management at City Hall, management at the Fire Hall and management at the police service, let’s freeze those salaries where they presently exist.”

Atkinson gave notice that he would put forward the motion for the next city council meeting.

He said the city had to abide by legislated rules regarding unions so freezing their wages wasn’t a viable option.

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

5h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

20h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

Dec 13, 2024

“The one area where we don’t have to negotiate with unions is obviously all the out-of-scope (employees),” said Atkinson.

“And those are considerable salaries of high prices, high salaries, therefore let’s give a zero per cent for this year for all out-of-scope employees.”

Atkinson explained that it not only would benefit the taxpayers but also send a message that wage increases would have to be better justified in the future.

“Whenever unions have asked for a wage increase, we’ve always increased our management staff’s in a similar way,” he said. “Maybe we should freeze their wage and set the example for the unions.”

For the 2011 budget, the city’s administration is suggesting a wage, salary and benefit increase of 9.5 per cent for all its employees to a total cost of about $33.04 million, up from $30.17 the previous year. That total includes wages subsidized by other levels of governments and their increases.

If Atkinson’s motion was accepted it would take away the option of increasing those staff member’s wages for the 2011 fiscal year.

Council will vote on Atkinson’s motion at the next council meeting in March.

adesouza@panow.com