Emotional town hall meeting on civic pension packed with worried workers

Over 1,000 workers packed a union-sponsored town hall meeting in Regina Monday night as worry mounts over the fate of a civic pension plan.

The workers, mostly from the city of Regina but including others who are also covered by the pension plan, gathered to get information — and ask questions — about how the plan, which has a large deficit, may change.

Last week, city officials submitted a proposal — without the support of workers — that would significantly change the plan.

Monday night's meeting included union leaders, researchers and lawyers who were on hand to address some of the employees' concerns.

Employees like Janet Craig, who wants to retire in January.

"I decided this in June and then the letter came out in July," Craig told CBC News. "I thought, does it change what I'm going to do? Perhaps. But for right now, I still want to retire and I know that I'll be able to. I am confident that a deal can be made."

Also on Monday, city officials said they were going to organize a series of informational sessions relating to the pension issue. The city's first meeting is set for Friday.