Unions reject improved company offer of   4.2%, 3.0% and 3.3% over three years 

Today the Auckland Combined Unions and NZ Bus attended mediation in an effort to agree a Collective Employment Agreement for the bus drivers and cleaners who work for Metrolink, North Star, Go West, Waka Pacific, LINK and City Circuit bus services.

The improved offer that NZ Bus put on the table in today’s mediation means drivers will receive 4.2% in the first year, 3.0 % in the second year and 3.3 % in the third and final year. This is a 10.5% increase over three years.   The weightings of the reshaped offer and how that increase will be paid has been changed in order to allow drivers to access the larger increase earlier. 

This   “is a substantial offer in these tough economic times. One only has to look at other settlements in the market which range between 0 and 3% to illustrate this”

The company offer of 10.5 % means

·         A  trainee driver  who  is currently earning  $14.05 an hour  would   receive  a   10.9 % increase over a  three year term  

·         A  new  driver  who  is currently earning   $15.82 an hour  would   receive a  10.8 % increase over a  three year term  

·         Drivers who have worked over 9 months   who are currently earning $16.75  an hour would   receive  a 10.9  % increase over a three year term

Ninety percent of drivers have worked for the company for longer than 9 months and are paid at the top rate.  

” After five months of negotiation, it   became obvious that the Unions claims were increasing, and   the gap was widening,” says Mr Emson. In order to avert industrial action which impacts on Auckland commuters, NZ Bus filed an application for facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority to assist both parties to reach an agreement. 

“We invited the Unions to support us in applying to the Authority. They have declined. It is difficult to understand why they do not want to resolve this issue, both for their members and Auckland commuters,” says Emson.

 “Despite this application being in process, we understand the Unions have made comment to the media tonight saying they are moving to provide notice of industrial action” Emson continues. “It is worthwhile pointing out -that   at this stage no notice of industrial action has been received”

“We now need to consider the Unions actions,” Emson continues. ”Today’s media commentary is bitterly disappointing.” 

 “Our customers are dealing with this ongoing uncertainty. We have a responsibility to provide them with clarity and we apologize sincerely for this.”

ends

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