Saskatoon's bus drivers have a new five-year contract with the city
Saskatoon Transit workers have ratified a new five-year contract with the city.
City councillors unanimously approved the new contract Tuesday, which runs retroactively from Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2028.
"The recent history of higher inflation, while it's behind us, it's still a fairly prevalent topic at the bargaining table," said Marno McInnes, the city's chief human resources officer.
"But in spite of this challenge, we've been able to reach a tentative agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union."
The new deal will see the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 615 workers wage increase by 2.5 per cent each year from 2024 to 2026 and increases of three percent in 2027 and 2028.
"It was a challenging round, and not only did we reach an agreement, but I think we reached an agreement that actually made a number of improvements for both parties," McInnes said during Tuesday's meeting.
Contract talks between the two parties lasted roughly eight months and followed a series of safety and violence concerns raised by the union in the last two years.
Earlier this summer, the two parties created a new safety plan to address violence occurring on buses and at bus terminals after a string of three violent attacks in a one-week span in May.
There are no new safety agreements or measures in the new deal, but revisions included in the collective agreement say "we are committed to continued collaboration and communication with the union on initiatives and strategies that are focused on protecting the safety and well-being of employees."
Changes in the new contract include recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday and increases in night shift differential pay.
While answering a question from Coun. Darren Hill about retaining mechanics who are leaving to the private sector, McInnes said the pay supplement should prevent more departures.
"Given the challenges we've had to work through around our mechanic shop and some of the issues around safety and other things, I think it's particularly notable when our management and ATU have been able to get together and come up with an agreement that everybody supports," Mayor Charlie Clark said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The Canadian border is an 'extreme vulnerability,' says Trump's pick; Miller predicts 'tough' talks
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he agrees with the incoming American border czar that there will be 'tough conversations' ahead surrounding the shared border.
Trump makes a victor's return to Washington and pledges a 'smooth' transition of power from Biden
Donald Trump made a victor's return to Washington on Wednesday, visiting the White House for a nearly two-hour meeting with President Joe Biden and committing to a straightforward transition of power as the president-elect moves quickly to build out his new administration.
'You couldn't open the door': Concerns over awareness of and access to Tesla emergency latch after 4 killed in Toronto, 5 killed in Wisconsin
When a Tesla crashed on Lakeshore Boulevard in Toronto last month, the first people on scene knew there were occupants inside but couldn't immediately get them out.
Overwhelmed families surrendering custody of their children to CAS
Overwhelmed families in Ontario are having to surrender their children to the Children's Aid Society, and according to the society, the residential crisis is part of the problem.
BREAKING Republicans will retain House majority, CNN projects, completing GOP’s dominance of Washington
Republicans have secured their monopoly on power in Donald Trump’s new Washington, retaining their majority in the House of Representatives, CNN projected Wednesday, after picking up seats in California and Arizona and ushering in a dramatic new era of right-wing populist rule.
Guns and drugs seized from organized crime group linked to Mexican cartel, RCMP say
Members of the RCMP’s federal police say they have arrested three men in B.C. for their alleged role in a 'transnational organized crime group' connected to Mexican drug cartels importing cocaine into Canada.
Mississauga, Ont. upholds ban on street sports, including hockey and basketball
Mississauga city council has voted to keep its residential street sports ban in place, meaning hockey and basketball on the road will remain out of bounds.
This Canadian airline will adopt Apple's new AirTag feature to help recover lost baggage. Here's how
Apple announced that a new feature, 'Share Item Location,' will help users locate and recover misplaced items by sharing an AirTag location with third parties including airlines.
Guardian quits X social media platform, citing racism and conspiracy theories
British news publisher the Guardian said on Wednesday it will no longer post to X, citing 'disturbing content' on the social media platform, including racism and conspiracy theories.