Facilitation continues over the weekend
Bus services remain suspended until notice of strike action is lifted

Bus services provided by Metrolink, North Star, GO WEST, Waka Pacific, LINK and City Circuit remain suspended over the weekend “until such time as the unions’ notice of industrial action is withdrawn,” says Zane Fulljames GM Operations.

Negotiations to agree a Collective Employment Agreement between NZ Bus and the four unions that make up the Auckland Combined Unions have been ongoing for five months. The Auckland Combined Unions is made up of a coalition of the Tramways Union, the Akarana Bus Drivers Association, the National Distribution Union and EPMU.

“Until such time as the Unions lift their notice of strike action, we are unable to run our services with certainty,” Fulljames continues. “This was not our preferred course of action- we have worked hard to avoid industrial action.”

In order to avert industrial action, NZ Bus filed an application for facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) on Friday, 18 September to assist both parties to reach an agreement. That application was granted yesterday at 2pm.

“The decision to respond to the Unions’ notice of strike action with a lock out was a considered response,” says Fulljames. “The only responsible course of action available to us was to suspend services. A notice of strike action is, by its very nature, disruptive and we need to be able to provide our customers with certain, safe and reliable services.”

“We believe that the wisest course of action we can take is to advise our customers to make alternate travel arrangements for the weekend, and for how to get to work and school on Monday 12 October. This includes school bus services,” says Fulljames. ( a full list of school bus services impacted is attached below)

“We are now focused on resolving the issue through the facilitation process and talks between the two parties have been facilitated throughout the day. These will continue over the weekend. “

“We apologize sincerely for the impact this is having on our customers and understand the wide-spread effect this will have not just on commuters but the wider Auckland community,” says Zane Fulljames.

“This is ridiculous situation for us to be in, when there are thousands of New Zealanders being laid off and without work, and so many who have had their wages frozen in this current economy,” Fulljames concludes. “The company offer of a 4.2% increase in the first year, 3.0% increase in the second year and 3.3% increase in the third and final year – a total increase of 10.5% over 3 years is a generous one and we stand by it. “

School Bus services provided by Metrolink, GO West , Waka Pacific and North Star
which will be impacted on Monday 12 October

Albany Junior High /Northcross Intermediate
Albany Primary School /Onehunga High School
Albany Senior High /One Tree Hill College
Aorere College /Orakei School
Auckland Girls Grammar School /Oratia District School
Auckland Grammar School /Orewa College
Avondale College /Orewa North Primary School
Baradene College /Orewa Primary School
Bayswater School /Otahuhu College
Belmont Intermediate /Otahuhu Intermediate
Belmont Primary School /Otahuhu Primary School
Birkdale Intermediate School /Our Lady Star of the Sea School
Birkenhead College /Pakuranga College
Blockhouse Bay Intermediate /Pakuranga Heights School
Browns Bay School /Pakuranga Intermediate
Bucklands Beach Intermediate /Panmure District School
Bucklands Beach Primary /Papatoetoe High School
Campbells Bay School /Papatoetoe Intermediate
Carmel College /Papatoetoe North School
Corran School /Papatoetoe South School
De la Salle College /Papatoetoe West School
Dilworth School /Pasadena Intermediate
Diocesan School for Girls /Pinehurst School
Edendale Primary School /Ponsonby Intermediate
Edgewater College /Rangeview Intermediate
Ellerslie School /Rangitoto College
Elm Park School /Remuera Intermediate
Epsom Girls Grammar School /Remuera Primary School
Fairburn School /Riverhills School
Farm Cove Intermediate /Rosehill College
Forrest Hill School /Rosehill Intermediate
Glamorgan School /Rosmini College
Glen Eden Intermediate /Royal Oak Intermediate
Glendowie College /Rutherford College
Glendowie Primary /Sacred Heart College
Glenfield College /Sancta Maria College
Glenfield Intermediate /Selwyn College
Glenfield Primary School /Seventh Day Adventist High School
Green Bay High School /Somerville Intermediate
Gulf Harbour School /St Cuthberts College
Henderson High School /St Dominics College
Henderson Intermediate /St Ignatius School
Holy Cross School (Henderson) /St Johns School
Holy Cross School (Papatoetoe) /St Josephs School (Onehunga)
Howick College /St Josephs School (Otahuhu)
Howick Intermediate /St Josephs School (Takapuna)
Jean Batten Primary /St Kentigern School
Kadimah College /St Leonards Road School
Kaurilands School /St Marks School
Kedgley Intermediate /St Marys College
Kelston Boys High School /St Marys School (Ellerslie)
Kelston Girls College /St Marys School (Northcote)
Kelston Intermediate /St Peters College
Kings School /St Thomas' School
Kingsway School /Stella Maris Primary
Liston College /Sylvia Park School
Long Bay College /Takanini School
Long Bay Primary School /Takapuna Grammar
Lynfield College /Takapuna Normal Intermediate
Macleans College /Tamaki College
Mangere Bridge School /Target Rd Primary
Mangere College /Titirangi Primary
Manuka Primary School /Torbay School
Manurewa High School /Upper Harbour Primary School
Marcellin College /Vauxhall School
Marist College /Waiheke Primary School
Marist School /Waikowhai Intermediate
McAuley High School /Wairau Intermediate School
Milford School /Waitakere College
Mt Albert Grammar School /Wakaaranga School
Mt Roskill Grammar /Western Springs College
Murrays Bay Intermediate /Westlake Boys High School
Murrays Bay School /Westlake Girls High School
Northcote College /Whangaparaoa College
Northcote Intermediate /Whangaparaoa Primary School
Northcote Primary

ENDS