HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - May 19, 2015) - Talks have broken off again between Halifax Water and its unionized employees.

Contract talks had resumed this morning, just hours after a strike got underway at the utility.

CUPE Local 227 President Dave Dort says, "This employer seems to have no real interest in actually bargaining. They are refusing to move one bit on the pension issue.

"They seem intent on keeping this strike going needlessly," he says.

CUPE Local 1431 President Heather Corkum says, "We made no headway whatsoever today. I don't believe this employer realizes how committed their unionized employees are to being treated fairly and to having their pension protected.

"What's becoming increasingly clear, however, is that Halifax Water seems determined to permanently roll back the pension benefits provided by this employer for generations to come," she says.

The union says there wasn't even a new proposal exchanged between the parties today.

Local 227 represents 230 outside workers with Halifax Water, while Local 1431 represents 105 inside workers.