Three Calgary councils are calling for wage cuts for city employees – including themselves and the mayor..Councillors Jeremy Farkas, Sean Chu and Joe Magliocca will bring forward their motion next week as city council debates on a $70 million budget shortfall after provincial government cuts..Farkas says the rollbacks would help workers maintain job security and help ease the “crushing” tax burden on Calgarians and businesses..“Calgary city hall has hit the fiscal cliff, and we have a decision to make. After years of generous wage and salary settlements, we have to do more than tap the brakes. In order to turn this mess around and deliver meaningful tax relief for Calgarians, we have to roll back the unsustainable increases in public sector compensation,” said Farkas in a statement..“Throughout the economic downturn, nearly every Calgarian outside of city hall has had to make sacrifices, ranging from unemployment to underemployment to wage reductions. We are not asking anyone to do something we wouldn’t do ourselves. We are all in this together, and by everyone giving a little, we can save jobs and set city hall’s finances in order for the long run.”. Mayor Naheed NenshiCalgay Mayor Naheed Nenshi (source: Wiki Commons) .The provincial government is looking for wage cuts of 2-5 per cent for their workers and the three councillors say the city should match that standard.“ I have been a very strong proponent of reducing city spending habits and limiting pet projects that only benefit a minority of Calgarians,” said Chu...Magliocca said: “The Kenney government is getting their fiscal house in order and we at the city of Calgary need to do the same.”.The motion also calls for changes to make it easier for the city to privatize services, phasing out retirement bonuses and cash rewards for workers who come up with significant money-saving ideas.
