The Amalgamated Transit Union and OC Transpo returned to the bargaining table on Sunday, trying to reach a deal before a Wednesday deadline that would paralyze the city and leave tens of thousands unable to get to work.
The City of Ottawa's contingency plans for a strike include asking people to carpool and stagger work hours. Some downtown bus lanes would be open to traffic and street parking hours would be extended.
The sessions at Les Suites Hotel were expected to last into the evening. Negotiations are also scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
About 2,100 OC Transpo drivers, dispatchers and maintenance staff voted 98 per cent in favour of strike action on Wednesday.
The union is asking for a 10.5 per-cent pay raise over a three-year period, plus concessions on sick days, scheduling, and workplace safety insurance. The workers have been without a contract since April.
