Talks between Transit Windsor and its unionized bus drivers have been adjourned as negotiators continue to try to avoid a strike.

Transit Windsor's unionized workers have been without a contract since Sept. 30, when their previous deal expired.Transit Windsor's unionized workers have been without a contract since Sept. 30, when their previous deal expired. (City of Windsor)

The negotiators thought they had reached a tentative agreement early Friday morning, but were forced back to the bargaining table after Transit Windsor's board of directors gave new instructions to the company's administrators, according to city Coun. Caroline Postma, the board chairperson.

The two sides have been trying to finalize a new contract for drivers and other Transit Windsor staff since talks began on Sept. 9. Talks have been "long, slow and steady," Postma told CBC News.

The 200 members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 616, including drivers, maintenance workers and administrative staff, have been without a collective agreement since their previous deal expired Sept. 30.

That contract covered the period of Oct. 1, 2005, to Sept. 30, 2009.

It took seven months to negotiate and wasn't ratified until December 2005.