City employees, councillors getting pay hike

City wages are going up.
During Monday's council meeting, council approved last week's personnel committee decisions, therefore ratifying collective agreements with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and out-of-scope employees.
The CUPE agreement will see city workers in that union receive a 12 per cent raise, split evenly over three years (2009-2011). At the same time, workers will receive .75 per cent increases to health benefits as of Jan. 1, 2010, and .25 per cent pension benefits as of Jan. 1, 2011.
As for out-of-scope employees (such as senior city administration), wage increases will be the same as CUPE employees. However, regarding benefits, the out-of-scope workers will see a .5 per cent pension increase on Jan. 1, 2010, and a .5 per cent health benefit increase on Jan. 1, 2011.
"Those settlements are comparable to what is happening in other municipalities across the province," said City Manager Garry McKay.
However, during Monday's meeting, Coun. Brian Swanson said he has reservations about entering into three-year contracts of this magnitude, especially considering the uncertain economic times.
According to Swanson, when adding up the out-of-scope increases passed during Monday's meeting and those from last year, those employees get approximately 27 per cent increases over four years.
"I don't think that's justified."
But Coun. Regina Sagal-Hendry remarked the out-of-scope increases are simply adjustments that keep Moose Jaw employees at a rate similar to workers from other Saskatchewan municipalities.
"These are people in demand," she said.
Coun. Dawn Luhning noted there is no public report regarding details of the settlement included in the personnel committee report council was to vote on Monday night. She said there was an inefficient amount of information included with the report regarding contract details.
Swanson also noted the city council wages increase with out-of-scope employees, which are largely based on CUPE settlements. Therefore, by council authorizing CUPE raises, it gets away with not having to say it's voting for its own raise.
Sagal-Hendry then said a local councillor's wage is low enough that a four per cent raise only equals approximately $44 a month.
"It isn't a huge amount."

Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.

David: - September 18, 2009 at 16:34:29

Steven I rest my case!! You have just proven my theory about who votes for the ditto (dotty) duo on council.Thanks.

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What?: - September 18, 2009 at 16:24:52

Let's break that down, biweekly meetings so lets be generous and say 3 a month, for an average of 3hours to account for subcomittees. So that would be an hourly raise of roughly $4.75/hr!!!!

That is huge! Way to use the old insurance trick, break it down to a daily or monthly cost.

y: - September 18, 2009 at 16:15:11

notice how mckay tries to justify the managment increases right off the bat? the real city employes got screwed by and scared into this as they do every time you look at what the real employes got over the last few contracts and then look at what the police, fire and management got, big difference. so yes 12 % sounds ok but look how far behind they are in pay and benefits as to other centers of same size as moose jaw. thats what the police and fire dept do to get what they want they look at what other centers get???

todd: - September 18, 2009 at 15:52:54

waaaaaaaaaa.......

state the facts: - September 18, 2009 at 15:46:51

such bitterness...maybe you should call in the RCMP to investigate you facts

gayle: - September 18, 2009 at 15:32:28

time of recession, tax hike to help pay for projects, and the council, city employees get a raise hmmmmmm maybe they should just be happy they have a job.

David: - September 18, 2009 at 15:30:19

Isn't it interesting that people will pay Swanson and Looning any amount of money to technically do nothing. They consider it a bargain to have two persons occupy a chair and do nothing for the taxpayers. I find it a waste of taxes just having these two on the ballot. But true to form these two will get elected just on their platform of chasing potholes and zero tax increases. Meanwhile people who give of their time and intelligence to promote our city get nothing but insults. What a backward bunch of idiots populate our city limits. I wish we could limit these raises to only the councillors who work FOR the city. That would take Swanson and Looning off the list.

Steven Q: - September 18, 2009 at 15:20:49

Can't wait to vote swanny out. waste of skin

Steven H.: - September 18, 2009 at 15:14:14

Hey 'Ms. Represent' the facts... Swanson and Luhning voted against playing favourites for Caronport water users over EVERYBODY ELSE! You are so far lost in the blaming Swanson and Luhning, you overlook the TRUTH. The truth is that these 5 yahoos are 'done like dinner,' not Swanson and Luhning. The Fab. 5 don't even have enough intestinal fortitude to face the voters this fall. They are nothing but chicken fits!, grovelling at the trough for their friends.

What is it with the Lets keep Being Positive Crowd?..first they balme Swanson for EVERYTHING including their own bumbling incompetence...then they say he does nothing on council! You are talking out of both sides of your face!

The Fab 5,...They wait for taxpayers concerns to be addresses the way one pig waits for another at the trough!

Steven H: - September 18, 2009 at 15:08:28

This council has only 8 meetings left till they are history. I'm OK with the payraises for the hard working union folks. 8 meetings and counting down!

S: - September 18, 2009 at 15:01:16

What recession? I sure don't feel it. In the same day's paper, the Murray GM article states the province is in the midst of good economic times . No one I know is just happy to have a job . Saskatchewan is doing just fine and city employees are still underpaid.....