Toronto Mayor David Miller is calling for a pay freeze for non-unionized city employees.

Miller said he wants a zero per cent cost of living increase for this year and a one per cent increase for next year.

Under the proposed plan, lump sum performance bonuses would also be cancelled for non-unionized employees who reach the top of their pay scale.

The mayor's idea gained support on Monday from the city's employee and labour relations committee, which he chairs.

The recommendations, which would affect 3,900 non-unionized city employees, are expected to go to city council at the end of April.

But Richard Majkot, executive director of the association representing non-union staff, suggested a cost of living freeze should be imposed for all city employees, unionized and non-unionized.

"But we don't want to do it alone," he said. "We've done our part in the past."

Majkot cited the higher pay increases unionized workers received last year while non-unionized workers bought into the short-term sick leave plan and saved the city money.

Miller said it would be inappropriate to comment since the city is in labour negotiations with its unionized workers. But he added he would request that the city's agencies, boards and commissions follow the recommended pay freeze.

The pay freeze is expected to save the city $20 million over two years, which would be put into the city's welfare reserves.