Codiac Transpo dispute enters cooling-off period

Labour Minister Martine Coulombe did not appoint a conciliation board to handle ongoing contract issues between the city of Moncton and Codiac Transpo workers.

About 90 people drivers, mechanics and service workers have been without a contract since June 2010.

Negotiations broke down earlier in March and it is possible the union could strike early in April. The dispute has moved into a cooling-off period and both parties have agreed to mediation next week.

From the city's perspective, the dispute comes down to wages.

The union said there is more at issue.

Workers are concerned about overtime, being paid for pre-trip preparation work, and travel time.

Codiac Transpo operates buses in Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview and Lakeside.

The company says its 2010 ridership level was 2.3 million passenger trips. It estimates the 2011 ridership jumped to 2.5 million.

Codiac Transpo, which was created in 1980, has 45 buses on 24 routes in the region.