Media release from the combined bus unions

October 14, 2009

Bus drivers put forward constructive compromise

Auckland bus drivers came up with a constructive compromise to get the buses running at a mass meeting this morning.

Combined union spokesperson Karl Andersen said the drivers had a full and lively discussion on the facilitator’s recommendation before having a secret ballot on whether to accept it.

“The drivers rejected the recommendation as it stands by a 95% majority but came up with a resolution that should get the buses running again,” he says.

The resolution is as follows:

In an effort to resolve the current disruption for Auckland bus passengers, the Infratil/NZ Bus combined unions, make the offer to return to work from the first shift on Thursday 15 October 2009 on condition NZ Bus lift their lockout notice following the Employment Relations Authority ruling that the union ‘work to rule’ notice was not responsible for the disruption to bus travel over the last six days.

As a further act of good faith the unions will suspend their notice of ‘work to rule’ provided the company agrees to urgent high level negotiations to resolve this matter.

The combined bus unions have complete faith in the office of the ERA and welcome the NZ Bus offer to continue working with the mediation service to resolve this dispute.

Mr Andersen said that if this course of action is accepted by the company it would not only get the buses running again but provide a mechanism for other interested party’s like the ARC to play a part in reaching a settlement that everyone, including the public, was able to live with.

ends

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