[Dave Wardrop] said it's "up to ATU" to determine how long service reductions would continue and he refused to comment on the possibility of a strike, a lockout of union members or any of the city's contingency plans.

"There is an active effort by Winnipeg Transit to recruit more bus operators, at this time," he said. "We're looking at recruiting upwards of 120 bus operators again this year, which is on track with last year."

Wardrop said the union executive had endorsed the city's first offer and a mediator appointed by the province had endorsed the second. "We have been disappointed in terms of the response to what we believe have been very fair and reasonable offers," Wardrop said.