Bus drivers increase pay claim

Photo / Paul Estcourt

Auckland bus drivers have increased their pay claim from 70c to $1 an hour, NZ Bus said today.

The Auckland Combined Unions, representing about 900 drivers, tabled the claim at mediation, which was adjourned until Thursday.

NZ Bus operations general manager Zane Fulljames said the company yesterday asked the unions to clarify their position.

"They have done that in this morning's mediation," he said.

"Their previous claim of 70 cents an hour, articulated in the media last week, has increased to a $1 an hour today."

Mr Fulljames said the company would now take its time to consider the unions' position.

"In an effort to keep the door open and discussion progressing, we have pencilled in mediation for Thursday," he said.

"We apologise sincerely to our customers for this ongoing uncertainty and can confirm that buses will continue to operate as normal."

Mr Fulljames said the company's offer of 10.4 per cent over three years equated to 60c an hour, year on year.

He said that represented an additional $4.75 million to employees over the period.

Drivers' spokesman Karl Andersen said he was disappointed NZ Bus was "starting to talk figures to the media".

"What we agreed was that we would make a simple comment that we are making progress," he said.

Mr Andersen, who is the National Distribution Union secretary, said the unions had put in an amended position but declined to elaborate.

The unions represent bus drivers and cleaners who work for the Metrolink, North Star, Go West, Waka Pacific, Link and City Circuit bus services.

Mediation began yesterday after the drivers rejected a pay offer last week.

The offer had narrowly averted disruption to services last Wednesday, when NZ Bus said it would lock drivers out.

The lock-out warning came after the unions proposed working to rule, with drivers sticking to the manual and not doing anything extra.

- NZPA