Acadian Lines and its locked-out workers will go back to the bargaining table next weekend in an attempt to end a contract dispute that is now more than two months old.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1229, which is the union representing 59 workers in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, says the new contract talks are scheduled for Feb. 11 and 12.

Acadian Lines locked out its workers on Dec. 2.

There has been no inter-city bus service in New Brunswick since the work stoppage began. As well, there has been no bus service between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

The two sides were scheduled to meet with the Canada Industrial Relations Board this week.

Both the federal and provincial governments have refused to get involved in the contract dispute.

The union had asked the company in mid-December to agree to enter into binding interest arbitration, which it refused.

According to the company, Acadian Lines lost around $2 million running buses in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island last year.

Meanwhile, Groupe Orleans Express, the parent company of Acadian Lines, said in January that it wanted to discuss the potential for the New Brunswick government to introduce provincial subsidies to help finance the bus connection.

Group Orleans Express said the company does not have to pay provincial diesel tax in Quebec, a move that knocks almost 18 cents a litre off the company's fuel costs in that province.

Previous contract negotiations have failed to produce a deal. Talks had previously broken down in October and workers voted 98 per cent in favour of strike action.

At that time, Acadian Lines was offering a contract that was worth zero per cent over the next five years, according to the union.

The union wants at least a cost-of-living increase.

The company presented a last-minute contract offer to the union on Nov. 25. Workers voted 88 per cent against the deal.

Acadian Coach Lines still runs in Nova Scotia because the company's employees in that province are part of a different union.