Court ruling gives Saskatoon transit union another shot at 2014 lockout pay

The union representing Saskatoon bus drivers will have another chance to seek compensation over a 2014 lockout relating to the same contract dispute causing job action in the city today.

On Thursday, the Court of Queen's Bench granted the union's application to have the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board reconsider its request for compensation for the final two weeks of the lockout.

• City of Saskatoon to pay transit union $651K over illegal lockout
• 'We are very close' but still no deal, says Mayor Charlie Clark of Saskatoon transit dispute

Saskatoon Transit workers were locked out for four weeks starting late on the evening of Sept. 20, 2014.

On Oct. 17, 2015, the board ruled that the Saskatoon Transit lockout was illegal because an unresolved, unfair labour practice case was before the board when the lockout was issued.

It ordered the City of Saskatoon to pay the transit union $651,000 for damages.

But the union is still seeking compensation for the final two weeks of the lockout.

Thursday's court ruling gives the union another chance to make its case to the labour board.

City of Saskatoon general manager of corporate performance, Catherine Gryba, said the city was "discouraged" by the decision.

"This might mean there will be more legal wrangling when we are hoping to conclude a collective agreement with the Transit Union," she said.

On Nov. 12, the transit union launched an overtime ban and work-to-rule order, leading to ongoing bus route cancellations and overcrowding.

The workers, who are represented by the Saskatoon Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615, have been without a collective bargaining agreement since 2012.