Full Saskatoon Transit service set to go Monday morning

Watch above: transit buses are rolling in Saskatoon after the city rescinded a second lockout notice

SASKATOON – It’s official – buses will be back on Saskatoon roads Monday morning after being parked since Sept. 20 when the city locked out around 330 unionized transit workers.

A second lockout notice issued by the city was rescinded after city councillors voted to withdraw the lockout at a special executive committee meeting on Saturday.

The lockout notice was issued Friday afternoon hours after the Saskatchewan Labour Board ruled the first lockout was illegal.

At a press conference Saturday evening, Mayor Don Atchison announced buses would be running Monday morning.

The deal was contingent on working out a back-to-work agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615 (ATU 615), which was hammered out on Sunday.

“We have met with ATU executive and worked out a back-to-work agreement,” stated Jeff Jorgenson, the city’s general manager of transportation and utilities.

“This is a normal process which ensures everything is done orderly.”

ATU 615 officials say dispatch, maintenance and customer service personnel will be back to work today to get ready for Monday.

As part of getting transit buses back on the road, riders will be able to ride free until the end of the month.

The plan will formally be approved at a special council meeting on Monday afternoon.

Along with the free rides, city administration is also recommending a full refund for all pass-holders for the month of October.

The cost to the city is expected to be around $450,000 although the typical revenue that would normally be generated during a 12-day period is around $517,000.

Administration says ridership is usually much lower following a strike or lockout, hence the lower estimate.

Although the lockout has ended, the two sides remain far apart on a new contract, with wages and the transit pension plan among the main issues.

There is no word on when those talks are set to resume.