Saint John mayor cites COVID-19 crisis in attempt to spike labour deal
Don Darling presses for 'zero' increases for next four years
Connell Smith· CBC News· Posted: Mar 24, 2020 7:32 AM AT
City of Saint John Outside Workers, members of CUPE Local 18 reached a tentative contract deal with the municipality on March 13. (CBC)
A motion by Saint John Mayor Don Darling that would have spiked a tentative contract deal with city outside workers has failed.
The tentative deal was reached March 13 with CUPE Local 18, representing 278 employees who work for Saint John Water, City Works, and the recreation department.
Darling cited the COVID-19 crisis in his motion, saying he would not support any collective agreements unless they include a wage freeze "at minimum."
"We have to look at our operations through the eyes of the taxpayer that just lost their income and can't pay their rent," said Darling who described the situation as an unprecedented economic crisis.
Had it been successful, the mayor's motion would have undermined the municipality's own negotiating team which had entered the contract talks in January with a wage escalation policy approved by council in the fall.
The policy limits salary increases to a level no greater than the rate of property tax assessment growth in the city, using a formula that averages growth over the past three years — 1.3 per cent.
CUPE Local 18 represents 278 employees who work for Saint John Water, City Works, and the recreation department. (CBC)
Councillors rejected Darling's motion in an 8-2 vote.
"To make this kind of blanket decision without knowing more information, I can't go in that direction," said Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary.
"I want to make sure we take a sound practical approach that is rooted in evidence," said Coun. David Hickey."
Coun, David Merrithew and Greg Norton supported the mayor's motion.
The actual terms of the tentative deal with Local 18 have not been revealed.
A contract ratification vote by union members that had been scheduled for Monday was cancelled following the province's declaration of a state of emergency.
The two sides were to ratify the deal on the same day.
Local 18 president Chris Patterson is saying little about Darling's move, which the mayor made public in an online blog Friday.
"We have a tentative deal," said Patterson. "There's a process to be followed and he [mayor Darling] needs to follow that process."
The proposed wage-freeze policy would have applied to all city employee groups for four years.
Saint John Mayor Don Darling, Coun. David Merrithew and senior city staff attended Monday's council meeting in person. Nine other councillors were asked to participate by phone. (City of Saint John.)
City manager John Collin told council the existing wage escalation policy and other measures recently approved by council give the municipality the tools it needs to deal with the problem without imposing the terms set out in the mayor's motion.
Because of the COVID 19 crisis Mayor Darling, Coun. David Merrithew, and a handful of senior city staff were the only people present in the council chamber Monday. Nine other councillors participated by phone.
Speaking after the meeting Darling said he was disappointed his motion did not pass. He said he believed it offered a "lot of latitude" and he would have been open to amending it to meet the concerns of some councillors.
Along with outside workers the city is attempting to reach agreements with both the police and fire departments.
Salary and benefit costs for the city amount to about $82 million in 2020.
The city must also pay $9.5 million a year to make up for a deficit that was allowed to grow over many years prior to 2012 in its employee pension fund.
I don't know the Mayor at all. Maybe he should just resign and say the Heck with it, if its affecting his Health. No position is worth that. I see the Deputy Mayor or Council Members were in favor of pay cuts.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Donald Smith: He already decided not to run for another term. He thought he'd be free of the job come May 12. Now it's been extended indefinitely. He's trying to hang in there.
SarahRose Werner I feel for Don. He'd already decided not to run for another term and now his current term has been extended indefinitely until elections can be held safely.
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Say Hey to your "Not So Little" Darling for me will ya?
Matt Steele Mayor Darling is probably right on this issue as the national media is reporting that Canada is set to move into a major recession , or maybe even a depression , once the Covid-19 crisis is over . All levels of govt.will have to do some cuts if they ever want another balanced budget ; but Saint John City Council seems to have a hard time grasping that concept , and that is probably why the city needed the bailout a few months ago from the province in order to keep the city afloat .
Jef Cronkhite
Reply to @Matt Steele: No wonder he won't run for another term. Can't get any support from council....
Therese Benoit
Taxpayers in Saint John are paying for the mismanagement of Saint John that started more than 50 years ago. there are two sides, one that is part of the problem, the other that is trying to solve the problem. City employees are greedy and part of the problem. Some Cops in the city make 100K a year or more, Fire Fighters too, Outside works with not even a grade 12 education are bringing home $30 an hour +. Saint John is near bankruptcy and instead of taking a break from their greed, they demand more. Well I think if they want to make big city wages they should go to the big city and leave the jobs for people living in Saint John who want to be here. We are a safe community, things are somewhat affordable and you can have a good quality of life for way less than in the big cities. If council doesnt have the guts to rein in the overspending and the insanely high salaries, then maybe we will have to vote in members who has! Cant wait for Election Day in Saint John!
