Talks were continuing late last night between Metro Transit and the union as the strike impasse was set to head into Day 8.

At 10:30 p.m., Metro Transit officials returned to the negotiating room to continue talks with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508. It was third time on Wednesday the two sides continued talks.

After a second session ended on Wednesday evening, union president Ken Wilson referred to how things were going as “lousy.”

Halifax regional council was in a private meeting Tuesday afternoon when Wilson announced to reporters in Grand Parade that they will present a new offer to Metro Transit on Wednesday morning.

“The members of ATU Local 508 have prepared a counter offer to the employer’s final (offer). Although they told us they didn’t want one, we’re going to do it anyway,” Wilson said. “And then the ball’s back in their court, where it’s been the whole time.”

Less than two hours later, HRM sent out a press release saying they will present a council-endorsed offer this morning, too.

“The conciliator has called both parties together for 10:30 a.m. (Wednesday) morning. Both sides have an offer to bring forward and, hopefully, it will come to a resolve,” Mayor Peter Kelly said in an interview.

“We were already behind closed doors when the union made their commentary. It’s good we’re all thinking the same way.”

Neither side would speak to what is in their offers. Kelly also dodged a question on why Metro Transit is no longer sticking firm to its previous position of wanting the union to take it to their members for a vote.

Wilson watched council’s public meeting from the gallery on Tuesday. He said he has yet to see leadership there and only some councillors know what’s going on.

“They want us on the street, it’s blatantly obvious. Now let’s see if they’re prepared to keep us there with the counter going to them tomorrow,” Wilson said.