The union representing West Vancouver's transit operators have voted in favour of a strike mandate after talks with the district broke down.

Geoff Devlin, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 134, said in a statement that the union will issue a 72-hour strike notice on Thursday.

Members voted 100 per cent in favour of the job action, Devlin said.

Transit in West Vancouver is operated by the district — not TransLink. The operators' contract expired March 31.

At issue are working conditions and benefits.

"Our members are strongly supporting the union's position to reject working conditions and benefits concessions demanded by the District of West Vancouver," Devlin said.

The union represents drivers, shuttle drivers, service workers and mechanics.

Despite the strike vote, Devlin said the union hopes to avoid a service disruption.

Local 134 members operate and maintain West Vancouver's 52 buses that transport about 18,000 passengers a day.

A spokesperson for the district of West Vancouver was not available to comment.