CUPE Local 1975 is facing a serious pension attack from the University of Saskatchewan. The Local represents 1900 members who work at the University in a variety of non-academic positions. Local 1975 members are members of a modest Defined Benefit (DB) pension plan that has worked well for nearly 70 years. The employer has stated that it plans to unilaterally close the DB plan and unnecessarily impose an inferior Defined Contribution (DC) pension plan in its place. What’s worse, the University is threatening to do this unilaterally, outside of the bargaining process!
Local 1975 is currently in collective bargaining, hoping to resolve this issue and preserve both their DB plan and their right to determine any pension plan changes at the bargaining table. Talks, however, have reached an impasse and a provincial conciliator is being appointed. The Local has a strong strike mandate from its members.
Like all workers, Local 1975 members deserve a decent and secure retirement after a career of work. Like all workers, Local 1975 members deserve to be able to bargain the terms and conditions of their employment, instead of having them imposed unilaterally by an employer.
Support from CUPE Locals and labour movement allies around the country plays an important role in helping a Local achieve a bargaining standoff or work stoppage win. An attack on one Local’s pension is an attack on every Local’s pension. An attack on one Local’s bargaining rights is an attack on all of our bargaining rights.
Please take these two easy steps to stand with Local 1975 today:
1. Send Local 1975 a message of support and solidarity. If your Local has been through a pension or bargaining fight and won, tell Local 1975 your story. Show them how CUPE members across the country stick together! Let them know you’ll be standing with them if a work stoppage becomes necessary.
Please send messages of support to cupe1975@sasktel.net
2. Circulate the Local 1975 petition linked below to your locals, networks, social media accounts, etc.
https://cupe.ca/tell-u-s-paws-our-pension
For more information, visit the Local’s website at: https://1975.cupe.ca/