Winnipeg taxpayers may be off the hook for union president’s wages
The City of Winnipeg could soon stop paying a union president’s salary.
“I think union members should be on the hook for paying the union leaders salary,” said Mayor Brian Bowman.
A new tentative three-year deal is on the table between the city and the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, which would see a 2 per cent wage increase in year one, 1.9 per cent in year two, and 2 per cent for year three.
City finance committee chair Scott Gillingham says that is in line with the last contract and the Consumer Price Index.
“And so I believe this is in the affordability rate of the City of Winnipeg,” said Gillingham.
The deal would remove one of the more contentious issues between the union and the city. Taxpayers would no longer foot the bill for any of UFFW President Alex Forrest’s salary or benefits starting in May. Right now, the city pays 60 per cent, a cost estimated at around $60,000.
“I think it’s a win for the members but I also think more importantly from my perspective it’s a win for taxpayers,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “It was one of those things we inherited.”
The trade-off will see that money used for an addiction and mental health fund.
“I do think this is an elegant solution, it’s a solution that there is a lot of mutual interest in,” said Coun. Sherri Rollins, who chairs the protection committee.
However, Councillor Kevin Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) is not so sure.
“How much did we pay so people could save political face to have the members of the union agree to that?” he said.
Klein worries the city may have bent on other items to get Forrest’s salary covered. On top of that, the UFFW claimed the city missed a pre-negotiation deadline to submit proposals, arguing only union demands could be heard.
“It would take a lot to convince me that the city didn’t pay a lot because we didn’t put forward our proposal on time according to the UFFW,” said Klein.
A city report recommending council approve the deal suggests that problem was avoided.
It says by negotiating the deal, it removes the risk of a settlement through binding arbitration, which would have been complicated because of the “missed deadline objection” raised by the union.
“I think we got the best deal we could get,” said Bowman. “I think there was some negotiating that was happening at the table and then there were repeated comments by this particular union leader through the media.”
UFFW President Alex Forrest says he is declining comment until city council approves the deal.
The agreement also includes an additional $104,500 annually for mental health supports within the fire paramedic service.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.