Proposed wage freeze at St. John's City Hall stalls

St. John's CouncillorJonathan Galgay says his proposed wage freeze on all management, non-union staff and members of council is on hold due to a conflict of interest.

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After Monday'scouncil meeting,Galgayinsisted he hasn't changed his mind about the wage freeze.

We can't ask our staff to provide advice on something that they're going to be impacted by.- Jonathan Galgay

He said the delay is necessary because employeesinvolved in making recommendations were in a direct conflict.

"On the advice of the city solicitor, she had identified that she was in a conflict of interest. All senior managers are in a conflict of interest to provide advice and direction to council as it relates to the wage freeze," he said.

"Therefore, we are reaching out to an outside solicitor who deals with employment law ...because we can't ask our staff to provide advice on something that they're going to be impacted by."

Galgay added that a firmhas been contactedand the process should take a couple of weeks to sort out.

Costsavings on track

While potentialwage freezes aredelayed, thecouncillorsaid the program review processcontinues.

"Program review is an ongoing process for the next year there are various types of departments that are currently being reviewed, and then council will make that public in June."

We do have plans in place to deal with situations like this.- Jonathan Galgay

It's not clear how much the external legal review will cost, but Galgay saidthe city is prepared for this type of expense.

"It's not often that council finds itself in a position whereby we can't rely on our staff for advice, but this happens to be one of those situations," Galgay told CBC.

"Like any large municipality, we do have plans in place to deal with situations like this, and it's just a normal, routine business of the city to seek, sometimes, outside advice."