London transit workers rejected their company’s final offer on Tuesday, leaving the London Transit Commission dispute unresolved.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 471, a representative of the LTC’s staff, referred to a 94 per cent rejection rate of the offer made.

“It gave us a chance to express how dissatisfied we were and express a democracy to vote, yes or no,” John Gillet, vice-president of Local 471, said.

He added while workers have not come to an agreement, they will continue to work regular hours as they have in the past couple of days. However, employees are refusing to work voluntary overtime.

Gillet pointed out some prevalent misconceptions of transit workers, particularly the belief they are city workers.

“We don’t receive any of the benefits that city workers receive,” Gillet noted. “We wanted to be compared to other transit workers and what they receive and what they do.”

According to Gillet, the ridership in Guelph is in the neighborhood of 12 million passengers a year, whereas the ridership in London is between 23 and 24 million. Guelph transit workers, however, make roughly $1 more per hour.

He added Hamilton transit workers make about $3 more.

Threats of a strike have left many students aggravated with the idea they will have to find their own way to school, but the University Students’ Council is maintaining contact with the LTC in order to be updated on any new information.

“We continuing to liaise with LTC to get the latest info from negotiations,” Dan Moulton, USC vice-president university affairs, said. “Our primary concern is that students get to campus,” he added.

Gillet was quick to point out a strike is not the first option for the union.

“At this present time, we want to keep working,” Gillet said. “We understand it’s an essential service and students have to get to their exams. We understand it’s very important.”

While negotiations are not currently taking place, the union has expressed they are quite willing to meet with management at any time and look at another offer.

“What we would really like is just a starting point to start getting some of those benefits,” Gillet concluded. “Not even an increase in benefits, because right now we just don’t have them. We’re just looking for a starting point and getting basic benefits.”

London Transit’s management could not be reached for comment by press time.