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Saskatoon city council unanimously approves pension changes

Sep 22, 2014 | 5:24 PM

paNOW Staff

Despite no contract between the transit union and the City of Saskatoon, pension contributions are going up for transit workers.

Saskatoon city council unanimously approved the legislation of changes to the general pension plan during a special meeting on Monday.

Transit operations remain suspended following a Saturday lockout of 330 workers with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615 (ATU).

The city says the changes are needed to address a $6.7 million dollar deficit and save tax-payers from special monthly payments of $90,100 to maintain the plan.

The changes mean contribution rate increases across the city's nine unions which has been a main sticking point for both sides during negotiations.

Picketers protested the pension changes outside city hall. ATU president Jim Yakubowski said the city is misleading the public about the state of the pension plan and called for an independent review.

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