The union representing more than 1,500 GO Transit workers will no longer announce a strike deadline Friday.

A representative for the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 told CityNews they don't expect to set a strike deadline because there is still an outstanding issue before the Ontario Labour Board. The union cannot set a strike deadline until the board makes its decision.

The decision was expected to be made by Friday, but it is not looking like that will happen. No timeline had been given for the OLB decision.

The ATU speaks for 650 GO bus drivers, as well as technicians, station attendants and office and service staff. A strike would not affect GO train service.

The union is still bargaining with Metrolinx, the provincial agency that operates GO Transit, but the two sides continue to disagree about wages and working conditions.

It had earlier set a strike deadline for Sept. 19, but delayed it to resume talks.

At the end of August, ATU Local 1587 president Ray Doyle said his members were frustrated and had voted 95 per cent in favour of a strike.

“[A strike] will most definitely happen if management clings to its position of no wage increase unless it is taken out of existing benefits," Doyle said.

“It's an absolutely unreasonable position. There's more money for management but not one cent for the workers."

Last year, GO Transit carried about 57 million passengers between Toronto and outlying areas like Peterborough, Kitchener, Niagara Falls and Barrie.

On a typical weekday, GO buses alone transport 37,000 riders.

ATU Local 1587 also represents York Region Transit bus drivers and maintenance workers, who are in contract talks and poised to strike as well.