St. John's councillor defends release of staff salaries

A St. John's city councillor is defending the publication of staff salaries, saying the public has a right to know.

"I've been advocating this for quite some time," said Councillor Art Puddister Tuesday.

"There seemed to be some resistance at city hall in the past."

What the salary information shows, according to Puddister, is that the city is a generous employer.

"The wage levels, the benefits and the pensions at city hall surpass the province and the federal government. I would say the City of St. John's is one of the best employers in Eastern Canada." 

The salary spreadsheet was posted on the city's website Friday and Coun. Jonathan Galgay tweeted out a link on Monday. 

Puddister said he will include it in the agenda of the weekly council meeting on March 14.

He is still trying to get wage information from city agencies such as Metrobus, St. John's Regional Fire Department, and Mile One Centre.

"If the employees are drawing their salaries from the public purse, the public, the taxpayers, have a right to know what is being paid," he told CBC. "It's a good day for openness and transparency." 

Big bucks

Of the 203 elected and non-union positions on the list, 87 pay more than $100,000 a year. Another 44 jobs pay more than $90,000.

The salary for the city manager position — currently vacant while the city recruits a replacement — is $223,253.55.

Salaries shot up after the 2014 contract negotiations between the city and its unions.

"We gave an 18 percent increase to all unions and management and members of council, everybody got the 18 per cent over four years," said Puddister.

"It's been a bit of a bone of contention with the public that the package was too lucrative. We had to do that to get an agreement with the unions about the pension plan."

Puddister said he has received a few emails since the salary details were made public.

Reaction was quick from Bob Hallett, one of the business owners who has spoken out forcefully against city tax hikes, and what he called "out of control" spending. 

According to the wage details, councillors make between $40,916 and $44,303 a year, with the deputy mayor taking home $52,836.

Mayor Dennis O'Keefe is paid $118,766.

One-third of elected councillors' salaries are tax-free, and there are other perks.

In early March, it was revealed that travel expenses for councillors had increased over the past year, with the mayor taking 10 trips costing $39,000.

Last week, council voted to send O'Keefe to Florida, to attend Seatrade, an annual convention for the cruise industry.