It’s crunch time as the transit strike deadline looms.

Metro Transit came forward with a new package for the Amalgamated Transit Union 508 to consider on Monday morning.

Union spokesman Shane O’Leary said the employer decided on Sunday to go back and present something new on Monday morning. It’s a lengthy, legal document that the union bargaining unit took most of the day reading over.

When asked if there has been movement from Metro Transit, O’Leary said there has, but it might not be enough.

He was unable to give any further update late last evening.

One of the biggest sticking points for the union is the possibility of contracting out the maintenance department, Access-a-Bus, ferries, the receiver’s office, and possibly conventional transit.

“A strike is not beneficial to anybody ‘ not to the drivers, ridership or taxpayers,” Mayor Peter Kelly said about the situation on Monday. “For us, it’s wanting to be reasonable and respectful and to find the balance to the issues at hand.”

Kelly said while other departments are facing cutbacks in the budget talks now underway, Metro Transit will see an increase in their budget. Service will be expanding, including a route to the airport, as well as the purchase of new buses.

“Metro Transit is the only department that is getting an extensive investment,” he said.

Kelly didn’t want to talk about the prospect of a transit strike, instead he said he’s focusing his efforts on coming to a resolution before the deadline on Thursday.

HRM has no back-to-work enforcement option, like the provincial or federal government can use during a strike.