The Mayor of St. John’s says the investigation into allegations of disrespectful workplace conduct involving staff at Deacon Sports and Entertainment is underway.

The Growlers have been suspended from their lease at the former Mile One Centre, pending the result of the investigation. Mayor Danny Breen says the decision, which was unanimous, was made by city council and the St. John’s Sports and Entertainment Board of Directors.

While Breen can not provide specific details due to legal and Occupational Health and Safety codes, he confirms that the investigation is underway.

Breen says they understand the impact the suspension will have on businesses in the downtown area and game night staff, but they are regretfully at a place where it is necessary.

He says he’s disappointed that they will not be starting the season and that businesses will suffer, but these steps are necessary to protect their employees.

(File photo.)

Top brass of the ECHL will be in St. John’s later this week to assess the situation with the Newfoundland Growlers following their suspension from Mary Brown’s Centre a week away from opening night. Instead, the team will play their first six home games out of the CBS Arena.

Dean MacDonald, the president and CEO of Deacon Sports and Entertainment, has filed an initial statement of claim against St. John’s Sports and Entertainment for millions of dollars in damages.

The city has appointed a third party to investigate complaints from workers at SJSE of workplace harassment at the hands of the Growlers organization. MacDonald says there is little interaction with staff.

Macdonald says league officials are very concerned. He says this has been very disruptive to the business of North America’s premier sports franchises, the Maple Leafs.