The mediation session ordered between the City of Fredericton and city transit workers was unsuccessful and yielded no progress, according to both sides. The meeting lasted for nearly two hours, but talks did not help sides reach an agreement and drivers are now preparing for a transit strike. Transit employees voted nearly 75% in favor of the strike following the failed mediation session, but they are not issuing their official 24 hour strike notice just yet and have only begun “strike preparation training” at this point, which can take up to several days.

Fredericton’s mayor issued a statement in response to the failed negotiations and talk of the strike, stating, “…there is no progress to report," it read. "Both parties remain in a position to take job action with 24-hour notice.”

The main sticking point in the negotiations is wages. Bus drivers in the city earn $22 an hour. That’s nearly $2.50 less than those in one nearby town and $4 less than another town. Fredericton drivers are hoping to receive a more competitive wage, but they do not expect an instant increase that significant. They are willing to work their way in that direction. In addition, the union wants part-time drivers to receive the same rate as full-time drivers.

The mayor is sticking by the current offer that includes 1.75% increase in the first three years and an annual increase of 2.5% in the final two years of the agreement, stating that he thinks that offer is perfectly fair. The city has also agreed to increase bi-weekly payments given to drivers for health and other benefits by $25, which means they will receive $200.