The union representing OC Transpo drivers, dispatchers and mechanics said it wouldn't begin negotiations with the city on a new contract until previous scheduling conflicts are resolved.

The Amalgamated Transit Union sent a letter to Diane Deans, head of the transit commission, which criticized recent decisions made by OC Transpo that, "exacerbate the reasons why there is not likely any hopeful sign whatsoever for positive labour relations in 2011 or the foreseeable future."

Aldrich also said there's been "no positive change" in labour relations between the bus drivers' union and the city since the election of the new council.

"Frankly it's a joke," Aldrich wrote.

The letter also said that scheduling conflicts remain the main issue "holding up any movement towards positive labour relations.

The letter comes after OC Transpo posted a new April 2011 schedule for drivers without union input which ignores previous direction from an arbitration board, according to Aldrich.

The union and management were scheduled to begin contract talks before the current contract expires at the end of March to prevent another strike like the one that stalled bus service for 53 days in winter 2008.