The city's inside workers have begun picketing around London's city hall for the first time since 1979, with the union saying the sides are far apart.

Contract talks broke off over the weekend, despite last minute efforts to reach an agreement late Sunday night,

“It’s pretty big (the divide between workers and management). If it wasn't big we wouldn't be here today,” says Shelley Navarroli, president of CUPE Local 101, which represents the 750 workers.

Picketers slowed traffic heading into the underground garage at city hall and traffic was stopped on Dufferin Avenue as hundreds – including other unions – took part in a solidarity rally.

The union says unresolved issues include wages, expanding hours of work to include weekends, changes to job evaluations and cutting retirement benefits for employees hired in the future.

This isn't the first time post-retirement benefits for new hires has been a sticking point between CUPE and a municipality.

Coincidentally, 101 matches the number of days CUPE members were on strike in Windsor six years ago.

In that battle, the union gave in to the retirement benefits change and accepted a two-tier contract.

“Our members and our locals make independent decisions. That was after 100 days, and, you know, the world is very different then it was back then,”  says Fred Hahn, CUPE Ontario president.

Mayor Matt Brown says he is disappointed with the outcome of the talks, but remains committed to getting back to the bargaining table as soon as possible.

“My role as mayor is to make sure these negotiations continue. That both parties get back to the table. That we find a fair and balanced solution.”

Hahn wants the mayor, a former teacher and OSSTF member, to take a more active role. He believes senior staff are telling council to stay out of the fight.

“…But the mayor and council are the people elected by this community and will be held to account for it,” he says.

Brown says council is in charge. “We are very supportive of the process and the negotiation team.”

City managers say they will work to keep most services up and running, though some will be at reduced service levels like Ontario Works employment services, planning and building applications, children’s services and office hours at some locations.

Bill Coxhead of the senior management team says everything is being done to ensure those who need social services are getting assistance.

“We've actually re-deployed a significant number of staff - management staff - into Ontario Works. There's almost 40 people re-deployed to that area, to that task to making sure people get what they need, when they need it,” he says.

Coxhead says a phone line for social services inquiries is being manned and that all concerns will be addressed.

“We'll make arrangements to get them what they need. It's very important to us."

London's inside workers have been without a contract since December. This is the first inside worker's strike since 1979.

Inside workers provide a wide range of services including building and property inspections, bylaw enforcement, tourism, traffic management, roads construction management, recreation programs registration, social services and more.