Saskatoon transit workers are speaking out.
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615 responded Friday to the City of Saskatoon’s refusal to bargain, saying the city’s collective bargaining tactics are an “us vs. them” approach.
“Our members are insulted by the city and their tactics, insinuating that [they’re] not intelligent enough to make their own decisions on their own future and livelihood,” said Jim Yakubowski, the transit union’s president.
“[The city is] attempting to discredit our executive board by claiming we’re misleading our members.”
The union recently filed an unfair labour practice application with the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board.
The group claimed that the employer is focused more on the attempt to defund the union rather than dealing with important workplace issues such as pensions, occupational health, and safety protocols.
“By now it seems clear that the legislative regime that the current government has put in place for working people has tipped the balance in favour of employers,” said Larry Hubich, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, in a statement.
“Fuelled by government officials’ public statements, and by the introduction of SEA, employers have been emboldened and are taking needlessly contentious stances at the bargaining table.”
The City of Saskatoon did not respond to the union’s accusations of bargaining refusal, but they did accentuate portions of the offer.
“The City is offering ATU a wage increase of 10.0% over four years (2013 - 2016), and has proposed changes to the General Pension Plan that will help protect it into the future,” said Marno McInnes, director of human resources for the City of Saskatoon, in a statement.
According to the statement, out of nine unions and associations part of the General Pension Plan, eight have accepted and implemented their agreements with the city. ATU is the only union that has not yet accepted the city’s offer.
