York Region will not intervene in the labour dispute that has halted much of the region's public transit for more than a month.

At a council meeting today, the board decided it would not go to the province and seek back-to-work legislation that would mandate York Region Transit workers back on the job.

Council members have been calling on the unions and employers involved in the York Region Transit labour dispute to bring an end to the strike, which began when bus drivers and mechanics walked off the job Oct. 24.

"Neither back to work legislation or arbitration is an acceptable answer to a refusal to negotiate," York Region chairman and CEO Bill Fisch told reporters. "The answer and the most reasonable way for this to end is for the parties to participate in meaningful negotiations."

The strike has halted service on about 60 per cent of YRT's routes, angering riders who rely on public transit to get around.

The main sticking point has been pay. YRT bus drivers earn an average of $20 per hour, and they want to be paid the same as their counterparts in Toronto, Hamilton, Brampton and Mississauga, where drivers are paid an average of $29.

"If York region intervenes the reality of the unions current wage demands would mean a $26 increase for every York Region taxpayer or it would mean an additional 40 cent fare hike for York Region Transit riders," Fisch told reporters. "We are not prepared to ask taxpayers to do that nor should we have to."

Following Fisch's news conference Ray Doyle, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587, told CP24 that it is "ridiculous" to suggest taxpayers would automatically have to foot the bill for a wage increase for drivers.

"They are trying to indicate to the public that if they do get involved that it will automatically mean taxpayers will have to pay higher taxes." he said. "We feel there is sufficient money already being pumped into this transit system to allow for a fair and reasonable wage increase."

The workers are employed by Miller Transit and First Canada, and are represented by two Amalgamated Transit Union locals.

YRT contracts Miller Transit to provide service to 51 bus routes in the southeast division, which covers Markham, Richmond Hill, Whitchurch-Stouffville and part of Vaughan.

First Canada has a contract to provide bus service for 29 routes in Newmarket, Aurora and parts of Richmond Hill, East Gwillimbury and Georgina.

"This is no longer about a labour dispute; it is an attack on how we govern our communities," Fisch said in response to the unions contention that contracting out transit is the real issue.

About 340 employees in the southeast and north divisions are represented by ATU Local 1587, while about 220 Viva employees are represented by ATU Local 113.