As of 12:01 a.m. on Monday, 300 workers at Transit Windsor could be on the picket line.
Their union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 616, gave Transit Windsor 72-hour advance notice on Thursday.
A statement on the union's website said, "The union will keep working with the City's negotiating team throughout the weekend up to the deadline on Sunday. However, if a deal is not reached by then, there will be a strike."
ATU Local 616 demands wages that keep pace with inflation, paid sick time off, and improved working conditions. It said the two sides remain far apart in talks.
"Over a year ago, the federal government legislated that all federal employees are to receive ten paid sick days per year, and workers of Transit Windsor are federal employees," said ATU International Vice President Manny Sforza. "Why would Transit Windsor now expect transit workers to pay for these sick days by taking it off their wages? Why would the City of Windsor not ask the federal government for support, if needed, like other cities have done?"
ATU International President John Costa expressed frustration with the lack of progress in recent months.
"They called us heroes during the pandemic and now have zero interest in delivering fair compensation to public transit workers," he said.
Transit Windsor Executive Director Tyson Cragg is still hopeful a deal will be reached.
"We are continuing to negotiate in hopes a settlement can be reached, but we need our customers to plan ahead, just in case there are no Transit Windsor buses on the road starting on Monday morning."
Transit Windsor provides public transit service in Windsor, Amherstburg, LaSalle, and to Leamington.
"Transit Windsor regrets the inconvenience a strike may cause our riders, but we hope this advance notice will allow time for preparations to be made that will help minimize the impact as much as possible," said Cragg.
