Union sues Pace over pensions

The union representing bus drivers and mechanics for Pace’s West Division sued the agency Tuesday over a pension dispute. The lawsuit filed in Cook County court claims that Pace has underfunded an employee retirement plan for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241. The total owed is $181,360 in 2009 and $335,863 in 2010, the union states. Pace officials had no comment on the lawsuit. Local 241 also charges that Pace violated the Open Meetings Act, which requires that tax-funded bodies do business in public. Pace’s West Division is based in Melrose Park and serves western Cook County and the DuPage County suburbs.