MONCTON, NB – The City of Moncton is concerned about the high cost of binding arbitration for firefighters in the wake of a large increase awarded in Saint John.

An arbitrator awarded firefighters in Saint John a 12 percent wage hike over four years.

Moncton City Manager Jacques Dube says binding arbitration is supposed to mirror collective bargaining but that hasn’t been the case.

“Binding arbitration has cost the taxpayers one percent more on wage settlements than actually sitting down under the Public Service Relations Act and negotiating a settlement,” notes Dube.

The last contract in moncton gave firefighters a 13 percent raise over three years.

Dube adds he’s not looking forward to next spring when an arbitration hearing is scheduled between the city and its firefighters.