Students and other bus riders should probably make themselves comfortable at the bus stop in the coming weeks as London Transit employees wait to negotiate a new contract.

Their previous three-year contract expired June 30, and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 741 said employees are looking for their next one to properly address their needs.

Employees were offered a 0.4 per cent increase, that included paying stores to allow bus drivers to use their washrooms particularly on weekends or holidays, said Brian Tansy, maintenance representative at the union.

“But the drivers have to pay for it,” said Tansy, referring to the benefits. “They offer us benefits but ask us to pay for it.”

Right now, the union is waiting on a conciliator to begin negotiations and the drivers won't be in a position to strike for at least two weeks, said Tansy.

In the meantime, drivers have stopped working their overtime hours. Regular buses will arrive on schedule. But during rush hour and popular routes, these “tripper” buses will likely be few and far between, if at all.

However, frequent riders of the bus may not notice a huge difference in bus punctuality and increased crowdedness, having been used to delays all summer from the construction, said Tansy.

The focus right now is on upcoming negotiations but striking is not a favoured option.

“We'd rather not strike,” said Tansy. “Nobody wins in a strike.”

For more information and updates, visit http://ltconline.ca.