Brisbane ferries will be cancelled for an entire day later this week due to another round of industrial action, just days after Riverfire was thrown into chaos.

The latest 24-hour strike is scheduled for Thursday, taking all ferries offline, after an attempt by the operator to bypass unions and put an offer direct to employees was rejected an overwhelming majority of 90 per cent.

RiverCity Ferries — owned by ASX-listed Kelsian Group — has been unsuccessfully negotiating a new enterprise agreement with the Australian Maritime Officers Union and Maritime Union of Australia for months, with industrial action having steadily ramped up since July.

An 11th-hour overture from Kelsian chief executive Graeme Legh — including back pay on the offer before employees — failed to prevent strikes on the night of Riverfire, knocking out a crucial transport hub and forcing people to join long lines for buses and alternative transportation.

Employees had between Friday and Sunday to vote on whether to accept the company’s offer, which included a 4.75 per cent pay rise.

The unions were pushing for 6 per cent, along with changes to meal breaks, shift scheduling, and other workplace issues it said were safety critical.

RiverCity Ferries maintains it takes safety concerns seriously, and had offered to address 99 per cent of the shift issues, but the offer was rejected by staff.

AMOU industrial officer Tracey Ellis said they have not received a new offer from the company in writing yet, but they had been approached post-Riverfire.

RiverCity Ferries was notified of the upcoming Thursday strike on Friday, the day before Riverfire.

“The next meeting is on Friday,” she said.

“We are open to receiving an offer. We are not negotiating against ourselves.”

When asked what feedback the union had received after striking on Riverfire, she said her members were being congratulated.

“You get your keyboard warriors, but you also get the feedback who get on and off the ferries,” Ms Ellis said.

“They see how hard the workers work, and they’re supportive.”

RiverCity Ferries general manager Paul Rigby said they were disappointed that employees voted against the proposed enterprise agreement.

“But we respect the decision they have made,” he said.

Mr Rigby said they were committed to negotiating in good faith.

“RiverCity Ferries continues to call on the unions and employee representatives to return to meaningful negotiations so we can reach a fair and reasonable outcome,” he said.

“Our focus is on resolving the outstanding issues rather than through further industrial action that causes unnecessary disruption for Brisbane residents, visitors, businesses and our fellow crew members.

“Our priorities are the safety and wellbeing of our crew, maintaining a safe and reliable ferry service for the people of Brisbane, and reaching an agreement that appropriately recognises and compensates employees while ensuring the long-term sustainability of Brisbane’s ferry services.”