MONCTON, N.B. – Talks to try and end the Codiac Transpo lockout have broken off after three days of negotiations.

Local union president George Turple says the two sides were able to find common ground on contract language.

“Efficiencies and cost savings, overtime and the way overtime would be handed out and whatnot.”

Although movement was made on wages, the union has asked for parity with other unionized city employees during the final year of the contract.

Mayor George LeBlanc says that’s not reasonable.

“That’s the reason we’re not able to agree to the demands for 2018, because it leaves the city completely exposed to what one might call a “wage timebomb.”  We just don’t know what it would be.”

He says the city is prepared to settle the lockout today, if the union drops its wage demands in the final year of the contract.

The city has had no bus service since Codiac Transpo employees were locked out on June 27th.