Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien is still waiting to hear back from the city's transit union after challenging it to accept one of two courses of action. O'Brien is calling on the Amalgamated Transit Union to either put the city's final offer to a vote or else return to the bargaining table.

However, union president Andre Cornellier is limiting his media availability, saying they will only speak to media that reports favorably to the union. The union has said it will deliver a formal response to the city's contract proposal sometime this week.

While the transit strike is having a devastating effect on the commute, drivers aren't the only ones feeling the pinch. Many businesses are reporting major losses, now that there are fewer shoppers at the checkout.

The Rideau Centre says they have lost over 30 per cent of consumer traffic in their mall since the strike. General Manager Cindy VanBuskirk says stores may be able to recoup their losses if the strike is over by the end of the week, but are bracing for a considerable loss in revenue. The store estimates a loss of about 30,000 consumers daily since the strike began.

Stay tuned for the latest.
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