DENVER -- Bus drivers, light-rail operators and mechanics for Denver's mass transit operator overwhelmingly rejected a contract proposal Sunday and gave union leaders authority to strike.

Bus and light-rail services were still scheduled to run Monday, since by law, the union must provide 72 hours' notice before workers go on strike.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001 officials did not release vote totals but said that turnout was high. They said 95 percent of voters rejected the contract offer from the Regional Transportation District and authorized a strike.

"Two or three dozen workers took the microphone during the meeting and every one of them condemned the RTD offer," said union spokesman Dave Minshall.

"This is an easy contract to vote down," one RTD worker said.

"It's disappointing, but ... it's not surprising," said RTD spokesman Scott Reed.

Union leaders had recommended that its 1,750 members reject the proposal, which would have increased wages by an average $1.80 hourly, made in 15-cent hourly increases per quarter, over three years. The proposal also extended some increases in benefits.

Reed said the wage increase that was offered was the largest in the mass transit operator's 30-year history. Wages have been frozen since a contract agreement was struck in 2003.

"The offer on the table was just not enough," said union spokesman Dave Minshall.

Members present at the time of the vote announcement declined to comment. Minshall said they did not want to talk to the media in fear of making "silly mistakes."

"We want to strictly play by the rules," he said. "We want this to be considered on its own merits."

RTD and union officials did not speculate on when or if a strike would be called.

Minshall said the workers wanted to solve the problem at the bargaining table, not the picket lines, but that it was RTD's turn to come up with a better contract.

"We want them to get an offer to the table that they can live with," Minshall said. "We want a deal that is more than just a nickel and a dime an hour. We want a deal that recognizes that they went without a wage increase for three years."

Reed said RTD remains cautiously optimistic that both parties will reach an agreement.

"We are more than willing to go to the table and discuss with the union leadership things that they want to restructure within the financial constraints in the (rejected) offer," he said.

In the event of a strike, Reed said, RTD is obligated by law to contract 50 percent of its "rubber tire" service, including its bus, call-n-Ride, and SeniorRide services, throughout the duration of the strike.