Striking York Region Transit workers employed by Veolia Transportation rejected the company's latest contract offer on Tuesday, a day after the region terminated its contract with First Canada.

In a Vaughan hotel room, 177 members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 voted 133-43 against Veolia Transportation's offer. One ballot was spoiled.

On Monday, York Region terminated its contract with First Canada, one of three companies involved in the labour disruption since Oct. 24. First Canada operated 29 YRT/Viva routes in northern York Region.

Bob Kinnear, president of ATU Local 113, said that the termination was meant to "intimidate" employees voting Tuesday.

"They are saying to the employees, ‘You better take this offer or potentially you could be out of a job,'" Kinnear said. "And that's not a way to conduct labour relations."

Fisch, York Region's chairperson and CEO, said on Monday that the two sides haven't met for more than a month.

"It is outrageous that nearly a month has passed since First Canada and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 last met to negotiate their agreement," Fisch said in a press release on Monday.

"This strike continues in the midst of winter at the expense of riders. With neither side showing any regard or urgency, and no resolution in sight, we are doing everything we can to help restore transit service for our riders while protecting the taxpayer."

The region is now working to complete a new contract to operate the 29 YRT/Viva routes. Route 98 on Yonge Street will begin service Feb. 5 between Newmarket and Richmond Hill.

The region also issued letters to York BRT Services and Miller Transit requesting a service recovery plan by Friday.

The strike is now in its 13th week and has shut down about 60 per cent of the region's bus routes.

The labour dispute is affecting more than 44,000 riders every day.