Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien has decided he will personally negotiate with unions over the salaries of city workers.

The negotiations are usually shared by the members of the city's corporate services committee, which O'Brien chairs. But O'Brien told the city's committee this week that he wants to handle the job on his own.

Committee member Maria McCrae said Friday that it is permitted and it is not unusual for the committee to delegate some of its responsibilities to other authorities.

Any agreement between the mayor and the unions must still go to city council for final approval, she added.

McCrae said she can't discuss the reasons for the mayor's request because it took place at a closed-door meeting.

Staff wages are the city's single biggest expense.

In December, the mayor voted in favour of a motion to raise his own annual salary by $20,000 and councillors' salaries by $17,500.