SASKATOON – Current Saskatoon Transit service disruptions could last until a new contract is reached with its union.
Results of the latest vote taken by Amalgamated Transit Union 615 (ATU) were released on Friday, with over 90 per cent those voting rejecting what the city calls its final offer.
The vote was taken just over three weeks ago but the results were sealed until Friday due to legal challenges.
ATU members rejected a 10 per cent wage increase over four years and the city’s plan to nix a defined contribution pension plan.
The city says current pension plan has a $7-million deficit and the other eight unions who are part of the general pension plan have worked out and agreed to a solution that works for employees and the city.
The city has been dealing with a backlog of broken down buses due to a lack of mechanics and have said they can only advertise wages from the old contract, making it hard to attract journeyman mechanics.
Talks between the two sides have broken down and conciliation has failed.
On Friday, 79 buses were in service but 95 are needed to ensure full transit service.
Another bus was taken out of service of Friday after a transit bus caught on fire during the supper hour on 115th Street.
Responding firefighters noticed debris and oil trailing behind the bus. Investigators say a mechanical failure may have caused the fire.
On Saturday morning, a nine-year-old boy took a city bus on a short joyride, hitting another bus and a parked vehicle before hanging up on a curb near Idylwyld Drive near 25th Street.
Transit officials say the bus was left running in an unsafe condition and appears to be a case of human error and safety protocols not being followed.
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