In 2020, city staff were paid a total of $62.6 million, compared to $64.6 million in 2019.
The city attributes its savings to a reduction in overtime and regular wages of CUPE staff resulting from reduced activities during the pandemic, despite a two per cent increase outlined in the union contract.
Overall, the amount paid to CUPE staff in 2020 was $37 million, compared to $38.9 million in 2019, a five per cent reduction. In addition, the city’s firefighters were paid nearly two per cent less last year, at $14.1 million, compared to $14.4 million in 2019.
In a report to council, the city said the decrease was due to “the reduction of duties performed by the firefighter group under the Provincial Health Authority’s COVID-19 restrictions, which also resulted in less training opportunities.”