Union agrees to last-ditch strike meeting
UPDATE 5.10pm: First Union says it has agreed to meet NZ Bus tomorrow to discuss how a planned series of bus strikes can be avoided.
Karl Andersen of First Union, speaking for the combined bus unions, told NBR ONLINE it will meet NZ Bus but is not prepared to lift the strike notice beforehand.
"We're prepared to talk about it at the meeting but not before."
Earlier, Auckland company NZ Bus requested an urgent meeting with unions to try and avoid Monday's strike.
More than 800 bus drivers have planned strikes for the next eight Mondays after a breakdown in pay talks.
NZ Bus chief operation officer Shane McMahon says in a statement this afternoon the company would retable a previous offer.
“We would also like to work with the unions immediately, to see if there is any way they are willing to assist us in ensuring school children can get to and from school safely on Monday.”
Mr Andersen said he had not been in contact with NZ Bus and would have to consider whether to meet the company over a previously tabled and rejected offer.
Auckland Transport says thousands of school children could potentially be affected by Monday's strikes.
Infratil-owned NZ Bus operates Auckland's Link services, as well as North Star, Waka Pacific and Go West.
Auckland Transport says some services on major arterial routes will be covered by other bus operators if the strike goes ahead.
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Comments and questions5
Auckland Transport have a real headache looming again.
Just like last time the public will realise that Auckland is a far better place for everyone without buses jamming up the system.
The traffic flowed better, didn't have to sit watching dirty great 40 seaters plowing everwhere mostly empty.
Thats one thing about the stupid ramp signals it gives us all plenty of time to sit and count the lack of punters actually on most of the buses using their exclusive lanes we motorists paid for.
They are just trying to screw pennies out of the drivers , and they have an inept management, a bloated Board who just increased their remunerations of 13%, and bus drivers are paid a pittance and just go paycheck to paycheck....after management and Infratil pillaged former Stagecoach for all the prime real estate their depots sat on, with sale and leaseback deals in typical "private equity" predatory fashion.
They involved themselves in Infratil's fiasco "Snapper", throwing more money out the window, and scarcely invest in new bus with the newest antipollution engines....a real model company, NZ Bus...
what a self centered git
I don't understand Auckland Transport. There are thousands of empty seats in commuters' cars going to work. They should get the people to pick up others at the bus stops, not use funds to put on extra commuting buses. They should use that money to fund replacement school buses. The reason is that parents will have to drive their children to school, creating congestion that could be avoided. It is not so easy for school kids to carpool.
Good on you drivers.
I moved to Brisbane last year where bus drivers are paid what they are worth.
In NZ bus drivers are paid very little with little or no overtime or weekend rates.
Anyone moaning should try driving a bus