More than 90 per cent of Moose Jaw city workers have voted in favour of striking.

“Ninety-one per cent of our members are in support of taking job action up to and including strike action, if necessary,” CUPE Local 9 president Stacey Landin told CTV News.

CUPE Local 9 represents 210 City of Moose Jaw staff.

The city’s employees have been without a contract since December 2014 and argue poor management of city infrastructure mirrors what they consider poor management of city-employee relations.

Still, Landin said the union wants to avoid the picket line.

“We’re anxious to try another means to come to an agreement that’s fair to both parties,” she said.

The two sides have so far met nine times to negotiate, the city said in a media release. The union and the city will now try to work out an Essential Services Letter of Understanding to determine which services cannot be ceased in the event of a strike.

“We respect CUPE having this mandate from their membership to support a strike, but hope in the interests of the public we may continue negotiating in good faith,” said city manager Matt Noble.

The previous round of collective bargaining between the city and CUPE Local 9 required 26 sessions to reach a settlement, according to the city.