Greyhound bus line employees across Canada are set to walk off the job after members of the Amalgamated Transit Union voted in favour of a strike Monday night.

The ATU is looking for better wages and working conditions in the dispute that could disrupt the passenger bus service from Ottawa to Vancouver and about 1,100 communities in between.

Greyhound also provides a parcel and courier service which could be disrupted by a labour dispute.

Some 1,600 bus drivers, mechanics and baggage handlers have given formal notice of their intention to strike if an agreement cannot be reached by Thursday's deadline.

Local 1374, which represents Greyhound employees across Canada, voted 65 per cent against the company's contract offer. The rejection came even after the union's leadership recommended acceptance of the deal.

A message from union president Jim Higgs to ATU membership said the organization is "one in purpose and one in support of each other to regain our pride and respect that has been lost since the Americanization of our company."

"We're serious now," Higgs told The Canadian Press.

The union says that since the company was taken over by an American firm in 1997, the majority of power has shifted south of the border and quality of life for Canadian employees has suffered.

"If they want to solve the issue, obviously they're going to have to talk with their counterparts across the (border)."

"It's going to take money and it's going to take a lot of working condition changes to do it. If that isn't addressed prior to midnight of that date, we're going to be out," Higgs said.

Greyhound is owned by U.S.-based Laidlaw International Inc., with headquarters in Naperville, Illinois. The American parent company is also in contract talks with ATU Local 1700. That local represents 3,300 Greyhound employees including drivers and mechanics.

Negotiators for both sides in the U.S. have agreed to extend the existing contract until May 31 while discussions continue. A written statement issued by Laidlaw on May 8 said that "business will continue" during that time.

Greyhound Canada operates scheduled bus service between Canadian cities as well as tour services. The company also delivers packages and in some cities provides commuter services.

With files from The Canadian Press