He says just going before an arbitration Board will cost thousands and thousands of dollars in lawyers' fees and thousands of dollars beforehand.
Lowe points out the unions that went to arbitration wound up with wage increases 15 per cent higher as compared to negotiated settlements over a ten year period.
City Manager Pat Woods says there has to be greater flexibility in future contact agreements because city revenue is tight and will be for the foreseeable future.
Common Councillor David Merrithew, who chairs the city's Finance Committee, warns the wage increases of the past are no longer sustainable.
