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County council reverses decision, approves cost of living wage increase for non-union employees

Around 800 employees will get the increase in the second half of 2021 after the county's financial situation became clearer
20210222 County of Wellington KA
County of Wellington administration offices. Kenneth Armstrong/GuelphToday file photo

WELLINGTON COUNTY– The County of Wellington will be giving non-union employees a cost of living adjustment (COLA) wage increase after council previously voted against the raise in the fall. 

Non-union employees will get a 1.9 per cent COLA wage increase starting July 1.

A report says non-union workers make up a large majority of the county’s workforce with around 800 employees. 

This was decided at a closed meeting during Thursday’s county council meeting so the vote is unknown but Guelph/Eramosa mayor Chris White declared a conflict of interest in the open session because his daughter works for the county.

An email from county clerk Donna Bryce said in a usual in-person meeting, the warden would have reported out about this.

Due to the nature of zoom meetings, council agreed to make the report public after this decision was made. 

In a September meeting, council voted 9-6 vote against a raise with many councillors saying it set the wrong tone during a tough financial period. 

The report says more information has been brought forward in relation to the request for a wage adjustment. 

What comparable municipalities have given as a raise is now known and the average consumer price index for the full year is now available. 

The county’s year-end financial situation in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic has also become clearer. 

The report also considers the role non-union employees have had during the pandemic.

“The County of Wellington non-union group includes all our hard-working employees at Wellington Terrace who continue to work tirelessly at all times and during this particularly challenging time of the pandemic,” the report says. 

“Other non-union employees have continued to be redeployed or volunteer to help during this time not only at Wellington Terrace with screening, cleaning and resident support efforts but with WDG Public Health in their vaccination efforts.”


Keegan Kozolanka

About the Author: Keegan Kozolanka

Keegan Kozolanka is a general assignment reporter for EloraFergusToday, covering Wellington County. Keegan has been working with Village Media for more than two years and helped launch EloraFergusToday in 2021.
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