Bus strike to cause disruptions tomorrow in Auckland

Bus drivers claim their employer has been increasing working hours without providing toilet breaks. Photo / Richard Robinson

Bus drivers unhappy with the lack of toilet breaks are striking tomorrow and more than 100 have signed a petition asking for better working conditions.

The strike will cause disruptions to Metrolink, North Star, Go West, Waka Pacific, City Link and Outer Link bus services in Auckland between 9am and 2.30pm.

Bus drivers claim their employer, NZ Bus, has been increasing working hours without providing toilet breaks.

Bus drivers say the issue is particularly prevalent on the three Auckland Link bus services, where buses run on a continuous loop through the city in an effort to make the ride efficient for inner-city travellers.

They will be stopping work to attend a meeting at Mt Eden War Memorial Hall.

The petition says the lack of breaks have "caused us the bus drivers a lot of mental stress and is detrimental to our health".

NZ Bus said they are currently in wage negotiations with Tramways and First Union, but no agreement has been reached.

Full bus services will run until 9am, and Inner Link services will run between 9am and 2.30pm as usual. Full services will then resume from 2.30pm.

NZ Bus has offered drivers a 1.7 per cent wage increase.

Chief operating officer Shane McMahon said the strike is "a strange decision for the union leadership to take when most of our people are concerned about their jobs".