About Us
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615 (ATU615) is the union that represents the City of Saskatoon Transit employees.
City of Saskatoon first street cars began January 1st 1913. On February 3rd 1913 The original version of ATU615 was founded by ten courageous unionist. It was one of the very first ATU Locals in Western Canada, and set off a wave of organizing across the country.
Over the years our union has over come many struggles and battles. In 1994 there was a city wide strike to achieve a health and Dental Plan. In 2014 our union was illegally locked out defending our defined benefit pension plan. During the Covid-19 pandemic our union had to stand up for the rights and safety of all our members.
Our history is not only about struggles, in the over 100 year history our members had many victories; we won working conditions, increases in wages and benefits, and overall quality of life. Our founding brothers and sisters worked six days a week, 14 hours a day for only 15cents an hour with no benefits or overtime premiums. The union won 8-Hour work days 5-day work weeks. Our founding members operated the trolleys at the front of the bus with no protection, but our union was able to win a pane of glass between the operator and the weather. These are only a couple of the many victories that we have won since being founded.
We are still fighting for more victories; Currently ATU615 is facing increased violence against its members from the public. With on going efforts of the executive board, and membership we have made small victories to increase safety. These victories include Assault barriers to protect operators, Transit support workers to assist with dealing addressing issues occurring on route. Our union is not settling with the status as it, and we push to continue to increase the quality of life of all our members.
Who are the members that make our union? They are over 400 highly skilled and dedicated transit professionals from various backgrounds. We pride ourselves in embracing inclusivity, and support the diverse background or brothers and sisters bring.
Our over 400 members are only one apart of a larger group of over 30,000 transit employees across Canada and over 200,000 across The United States.
Are you still unsure what our union does? We represent the members with disputes with the employer and when collective bargaining. Our union ensures the agreed to collective agreement is followed by the employer to protect our members’ rights. We campaign for better transit; ensuring transit is well funded, accessible, and affordable.
Below is our ATU615 Excutive Board. If you would like to Contact Us please do so.
