Nova Scotia Power employees responsible for resolving power outages could be on strike by the end of the month.

A group of nearly 1,000 power linesmen, electricians and plant workers have rejected their employer’s latest offer.

Business manager of IBEW Local 1928 Jeff Richardson says 868 members voted and 88% of them voted ‘no’.

Richardson says the biggest contention continues to be over the pension plan.

“Right now a defined benefit plan and they’re wanting a new employee to come in to a defined constitution plan,” he says. “The members aren’t happy. This pension plan was in place for 40 years and all of a sudden it’s a problem, right?”

Richardson says the two sides will head back to the bargaining table on Monday.

The strike deadline is next Friday.