YAKIMA, Wash.-- Department managers with the City of Yakima took a pay freeze this week.
The move comes during talks with several employee unions trying to renegotiate their collective bargaining agreements.
More than just trying to save the city some money though, managers hope the move acts as an example for other employees.
City Manager Tony O'Rourke says they usually get the average of other contract increases. So when things like cost of living go up, managers see a raise too.
But next year, O'Rourke, and other upper office employees, won't see that increase. Saving the city around $115,000.
"Management needs to lead. Needs to set the tone, set an example, and hopefully they will, and hopefully other collective bargaining units will respect that and step in line," O'Rourke said.
He was hoping to see some wage concessions with employee unions this year, but he says it doesn't look like that's going to happen.
To give you an idea: For every 1% payroll increase employees get, the city has to shell out an extra half a million dollars.
The city manager says the money they saved with the pay freeze will go back towards capital improvements in the community.
