THUNDER BAY – Non-affiliated employees with the City of Thunder Bay will receive a 2.5 per cent wage increase in 2021, after their pay remained frozen the previous year.
It’s a group that primarily includes part-time, seasonal, and student employees not represented by a bargaining unit, said city treasurer Linda Evans.
Examples include child and youth leaders, concession clerks, fitness attendants and instructors, lifeguards, and delivery drivers and other temporary summer staff.
The change impacts 513 employees, though 72 of those are temporary COVID-related positions performing testing, enhanced cleaning, and more.
The hike is above the CPI index, taking into account the lack of an increase in 2020. The city had kept the wages static as it awaited a provincial announcement around minimum wage, and eyed the uncertain financial impacts of the pandemic, Evans said.
With Ontario’s minimum wage set to rise by 10 cents to $14.35 on Oct.1, administration recommended the 2.5 per cent general increase for all non-affiliated staff, retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year.
That came out of an annual city review of compensation for non-union, managerial, and non-affiliated employee groups.
“We see this as a fair increase,” she said. “There are other bargaining units that received 1.5 per cent for both 2020 and 2021.”
It will also help the city stay competitive in recruiting for highly qualified positions like lifeguards, she said.
City council unanimously approved the recommended increase at Monday’s meeting.
