TCU Place workers say 'Dream on' to idea of 0% wage increases
More than one group asking for wage increases as city forecasts $10.9M budget shortfall
The president of the largest union group for City of Saskatoon workers says with the city in a financial pinch, "it will be a difficult round of bargaining" for a new contract.
CUPE Local 59, which represents 1,500 to 1,900 city workers, is just one of a dozen groups whose collective agreements with the city expired in the last year.
The timing of those expired deals is not ideal: just as the city is forecasting a $10.9-million funding shortfall for its 2018 budget, CUPE Local 59 and at least one other union local are demanding wage increases from the city.
"Some of the issues that will be brought forward at bargaining include wage increases, hours of work, and improvements to vacation, compassion leave improved shift differential, retaining our deferred leave plan..." wrote Local 59 president Stan Macala in a recent letter to members ahead of the local's AGM next week.
On 0% increases: 'Dream on'
Also seeking wage increases will be the more than 100 full-, part-time and casual stage workers at TCU Place.
TCU Place is owned by the City of Saskatoon but run by the Saskatoon Centennial Auditorium and Convention Centre Corporation.
"I don't just believe, I fully expect we will achieve higher wages increases," said Glen Green, the president of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 300.
"TCU Place claims to make a profit every year... So we don't have any money crunch."
IATSE 300's negotiations with the city haven't begun yet. Asked how he expects talks will go, Green said, "Well, I don't expect them to be free and easy.
"I'm certain that we will be asked to take zero [wage increases], and I'm certain that we will say, 'Dream on.'"
Transit talks to begin next month
Another group will also be questioning the city's financial status, pending a decision of city councillors scheduled for Monday.
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615, which represents workers at Saskatoon Transit, has opposed the city's move to outsource the management of sick days and other absences at the transit company.
City councillors are scheduled to decide on that move — which would cost several thousand dollars more than handing absences internally — on Monday.
"That's an indicator to me that maybe there isn't such a financial crunch if they have that kind of availability," said Jim Yakubowski, the president of Local 615.
The local will exchange opening proposals with the city starting on Oct. 3.
"We understand the situation with regards to what the city is saying," said Yakubowski. "They're feeling some form of financial crunch as a result of the Brad Wall government reducing some funding to them.
"But I'm not going to preempt how difficult or whether there's going to be further difficulties as a result. We'll wait and see what proposals are exchanged and make every effort to try and reach settlement."
CBC asked the City of Saskatoon to comment.
Marno McInnes, director of strategic negotiations, responded in an email.
"While we understand and appreciate the public interest in civic contract negotiations, the administration respectfully declines interviews as we have committed to our union partners our priority is to work together in renewing our collective agreements," McInnes said.
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