More than 200 transit workers voted Friday to reject what the City of Guelph has called its final offer in a year-long contract standoff.
The city says it's preparing to lock out transit workers and suspend services as of 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 14, 2014.
Service for pre-booked medical appointments will continue during the labour disruption.
Workers, primarily bus drivers, represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1189 have been without a contract since July 2013.
After 22 bargaining sessions – including a number with a mediator – failed to produce a new deal, the city presented what it called its final offer to the workers.
According to a city press release, that offer included pay increases of 1.7 per cent for 2013, 1.6 per cent apiece for 2014 and 2015, and 1.5 per cent for 2016.
Last month, union president Andrew Cleary told CTV News the biggest points of contention between the two sides were around working conditions, including issues with washroom breaks.
Friday’s voting was supervised by the Ministry of Labour.
Union representatives have previously argued that the city wants to lock out its bus drivers, while city corporate and human resources director Mark Amorosi has said the city is “in no way interested in any service disruption.”
Spokespeople from both sides declined to speak with CTV News on Friday.
