KEY POINTS:
Hamilton commuters were set to face delays this morning after bus drivers working for Go Bus were locked out.
Karl Anderson from the National Distribution Union said bus drivers had been planning on offering passengers free fares as part of the strike action.
"The company has responded by locking the drivers out indefinitely," Mr Anderson said.
He said bus drivers were paid $13.50 an hour and were trying to negotiate a new pay scale that would allow them to rise to $16 an hour.
Go Bus did not returned phone calls this morning but in a statement issued last night, Go Bus Managing Director Calum Haslop said drivers from other areas, those not with the union, and managers with driving experience would fill most of the spaces left by the strike.
He said the union had has also advised Go Bus its drivers would not be collecting fares once they come back from the strike, forcing the company to suspend these drivers until the situation changes.
"We are on contract to Environment Waikato to collect fares, which are a contribution to the overall cost of the service," Mr Haslop said.
"By telling its drivers not to receive fares the union is putting drivers and Go Bus in the position of breaking contract which we can't allow.
"Suspending these drivers is our only option to ensuring we operate to contract. It's a commercial decision, not a personal one."
He said Go Bus had offered a 5.6% increase while the union was seeking 26%, down from the first demand of 68%.
- NZHERALD STAFF
