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Contract talks between the University of Saskatchewan and the union representing its support workers have broken down, paving the way for a possible job action.

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1975 and the U of S began mediation in the fall, after the union gave its bargaining committee a strike mandate.

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The union said Monday that the talks failed after the university tabled an “insulting” proposal that would axe its defined benefit pension plan and not offer workers retroactive wage increases.

Craig Hannah, the union’s president, said most members don’t make a lot of money and the bargaining committee won’t budge from its request for a “guaranteed and predictable” pension plan.

“Hopefully, the U of S comes to their senses,” Hannah said in an interview.

“I’m very concerned at what they have put on the table. I, as the president of CUPE 1975, am very opposed to that,” he added.