Public workers in the Region of Peel walked off the job early Monday morning after contract negotiations broke down.

Members of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 966 public works unit were legally allowed to walk off the job shortly after midnight.

A note on the union's website insisted that CUPE Local 966 members cease working and attend a strike meeting Monday morning.

CUPE Local 966's 282 members are responsible for water, sewage treatment and road maintenance across the Region of Peel, which includes Mississauga and Brampton.

The union says the sticking points in contract negotiations stem from the region's demand that wage increases be covered by concessions to employee benefits.

On Monday, the Region of Peel said they had a contingency plan to ensure service was not compromised after the union rejected its revised offer.

Some 600 members of CUPE Local 966's human services unit have been on strike for the past four weeks with little movement from either side. The human services unit represents Peel's approximately 500 social service workers.

CUPE Local 966's Transhelp unit, which provides shuttle service for people with special needs, is in a legal strike position on June 9.