Company to Lift Lock Out, Return Buses Oct. 15

Since Thursday October 8th, NZ Bus and the coalition of four unions that make up the Auckland Combined Unions have been in facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority in order to resolve a long standing pay dispute In order to avert industrial action NZ Bus filed an application for facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority on Friday 18th September to assist both parties to reach an agreement.

Facilitation has continued throughout the day today in an effort to resolve the industrial dispute between the Auckland Combined Unions and NZ Bus. The Auckland Combined Unions represent the bus drivers and cleaners who work for Metrolink, North Star, Go West, Waka Pacific, LINK and City Circuit bus services.

The facilitator has been in discussions with both parties and today has outlined a basis on which he considers a settlement could be reached.

“We are committed to the facilitation process and consider both parties should seize this opportunity to reach a settlement, “ says Zane Fulljames GM Operations NZ Bus .

The Auckland Combined Unions will meet with their members tomorrow, Wednesday 14th October at 11am to discuss developments. Because the drivers and cleaners who belong to the Unions will be at the meeting, bus services cannot resume tomorrow.

“ However, as a gesture of good will, we will lift the lock-out notice and resume all normal services, with effect from 4:00am Thursday morning, “ says Fulljames.
“This is on the proviso that by 1:30pm tomorrow the unions also lift their strike notice and agree to work with the facilitator to reach a ratified settlement.”

“We have confidence in the facilitation process, and trust that the Unions will join with us to get our buses back on the roads”.

ENDS

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