St. John's Sports and Entertainment sees more turmoil, as 6 senior staff leave

A half dozen senior staffers have recently parted ways with the city-run corporation that operates Mary Brown's Centre, and St. John's council won't say how much the departures have cost taxpayers.

Mayor Danny Breen, who chairs St. John's Sports and Entertainment, declined an interview request, citing an ongoing arbitration and workplace investigation.

"As human resource matters are private and confidential, we cannot comment on why individuals are no longer working for SJSE," Breen said in an emailed statement.

"The workplace investigation is still underway and it would be inappropriate, and potentially harmful, to discuss details of end of employment terms."

The organization has been steeped in a long-simmering controversy that came to a boil last fall, over conflicts with its main tenant that include allegations of "disrespectful workplace conduct" toward SJSE staff. 

While the mayor stressed that HR matters are private, payments made to staff by taxpayers are generally public. 

In the past, the city has released information about financial packages offered to departing employees. 

But this time, officials say disclosing those payouts would be "harmful to the financial or economic interests" of SJSE, because it could reveal plans for contractual or other negotiations.

Breen did not directly address a question about whether that means more staff could soon be on their way out the door.

Retired former city employees have been rehired to plug some of the holes left by staffers who have departed.

The six vacated positions include box office and event logistics manager, box office supervisor, marketing and communications coordinator, facilities coordinator, chief financial officer, and CEO.

In early December, the city announced the departure of CEO Sheena McCrate, who began working with SJSE in 2007 and had been in the top job for eight years.

Interim CEO Jill Brewer — who was named as McCrate's replacement in the same press release — is getting $180,000 per year, plus six weeks' vacation and the equivalent of 18 days of paid sick leave. 

According to a response provided under access-to-information, there is no current job description associated with that temporary position.