Councillors want living wage for all civic staff, private-company employees doing city work

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This article was published 15/12/2023 (674 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two councillors are calling for the city to pay all of its employees a living wage by the beginning of 2025, as well as those working to provide city services under private contracts, amid claims some municipal workers are now relying on food banks.

However, others fear a blanket wage hike would come with a hefty price for the city and its taxpayers.

A motion from Daniel McIntyre councillor Cindy Gilroy, seconded by Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), calls for a staff report to determine the cost to implement a living wage and what that hourly rate should be in Winnipeg, suggesting a Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives hourly wage recommendation of $19.21 would be fair.

The head of the city’s largest union said he fully supports the motion.

“I would like to say it’s more of an investment that’s going to benefit Winnipeggers,” said Gord Delbridge, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500.

“It’s really disheartening when you work for a municipal government and you come in and work every day… (that) you might not be able to make rent or you might (need a) food bank.”

“It’s really disheartening when you work for a municipal government and you come in and work every day… (that) you might not be able to make rent or you might (need a) food bank.”–Gord Delbridge, President, Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500

Gilroy’s motion calls for a report on the idea by September and for pay increases to start on Jan. 1, 2025, including all employees who provide city services under contracts and subcontracts.

“It’s really critical that, as the City of Winnipeg, we step up,” she said.

The councillor said she doesn’t think the cost to implement the changes would be that steep, since many city workers already earn a living wage.

“The cost of running the city is to make sure that we have staff (and) it’s also making sure that our staff isn’t living in poverty,” she said.

Delbridge said he expects the change would increase the city’s ability to attract and retain employees.

“The cost of running the city is to make sure that we have staff (and) it’s also making sure that our staff isn’t living in poverty.”–councillor Cindy Gilroy

He said entry-level 311 staff, summer students and library shelvers are among some of the lowest-paid city employees, at $15.30 an hour, matching the province’s $15.30 minimum wage.

The city confirmed 632 employees earn less than $19.21 per hour. Council previously approved a living wage of $15 in 2020, which took effect at the start of 2023.

A collective agreement will see the minimum pay for 311 customer service representatives rise to $15.45 an hour on Dec. 31, $15.69 on March 1 and $15.92 on Sept. 1.

Union data shows additional workers who earn $15.30 per hour will reach $15.45 Dec. 31 and the hourly rate could slightly rise again in the new year, due to a $1-million “special wage adjustment” fund, pending negotiations.

Delbridge said minimum pay rates are still expected to fall short of a living wage after those increases.

But the cost to carry out the change, which would be passed on to taxpayers, isn’t clear.

“Without having reviewed the actual numbers, I can’t say for sure (if the city can afford it),” said Coun. Jeff Browaty, council’s finance chairman.

Browaty (North Kildonan) said most municipal employees already earn a living wage but he has concerns about the motion’s call to extend the change to workers employed through city contracts with private companies.

“Generally speaking, I’m not supportive of that being imposed on our suppliers and contractors,” he said, adding that particular clause could drive up contract prices, just as the city copes with significant cost hikes due to inflation, other increased labour costs, lingering pandemic losses and rising Transit subsidies.

“In the tough financial circumstances we’re in, I don’t think that would be good policy right now,” he said.

The councillor also questioned the blanket approach to raising wages, noting the motion would include casual summer student staff. He said those workers are more likely to be living with their parents and, therefore, have fewer expenses.

Browaty said the city is alreadyconsidering wage increases for some municipal positions separately to address labour shortages.

Mayor Scott Gillingham declined to comment on the motion, stating Thursday that he had not yet had time to review it.

The motion is expected to be referred to the executive policy committee in February and would require council approval.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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