Facilitation continues over the weekend Bus services remain suspended until notice of strike action is lifted

October 9, 2009

Bus services provided by Metrolink, North Star, GO WEST, Waka Pacific, LINK and City Circuit remain suspended over the weekend “until such time as the unions’ notice of industrial action is withdrawn,” says Zane Fulljames GM Operations.

Negotiations to agree a Collective Employment Agreement between NZ Bus and the four unions that make up the Auckland Combined Unions have been ongoing for five months. The Auckland Combined Unions is made up of a coalition of the Tramways Union, the Akarana Bus Drivers Association, the National Distribution Union and EPMU.

“Until such time as the Unions lift their notice of strike action, we are unable to run our services with certainty,” Fulljames continues. “This was not our preferred course of action- we have worked hard to avoid industrial action.”

In order to avert industrial action, NZ Bus filed an application for facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) on Friday, 18 September to assist both parties to reach an agreement. That application was granted yesterday at 2pm.

“The decision to respond to the Unions’ notice of strike action with a lock out was a considered response,” says Fulljames. “The only responsible course of action available to us was to suspend services. A notice of strike action is, by its very nature, disruptive and we need to be able to provide our customers with certain, safe and reliable services.”

“We believe that the wisest course of action we can take is to advise our customers to make alternate travel arrangements for the weekend, and for how to get to work and school on Monday 12 October. This includes school bus services,” says Fulljames. ( a full list of school bus services impacted is attached below)

“We are now focused on resolving the issue through the facilitation process and talks between the two parties have been facilitated throughout the day. These will continue over the weekend. “

“We apologize sincerely for the impact this is having on our customers and understand the wide-spread effect this will have not just on commuters but the wider Auckland community,” says Zane Fulljames.

“This is ridiculous situation for us to be in, when there are thousands of New Zealanders being laid off and without work, and so many who have had their wages frozen in this current economy,” Fulljames concludes. “The company offer of a 4.2% increase in the first year, 3.0% increase in the second year and 3.3% increase in the third and final year – a total increase of 10.5% over 3 years is a generous one and we stand by it. “

School Bus services provided by Metrolink, GO West , Waka Pacific and North Star which will be impacted on Monday 12 October

  • Albany Junior High
  • Northcross Intermediate
  • Albany Primary School
  • Onehunga High School
  • Albany Senior High
  • One Tree Hill College
  • Aorere College
  • Orakei School
  • Auckland Girls Grammar School
  • Oratia District School
  • Auckland Grammar School
  • Orewa College
  • Avondale College
  • Orewa North Primary School
  • Baradene College
  • Orewa Primary School
  • Bayswater School
  • Otahuhu College
  • Belmont Intermediate
  • Otahuhu Intermediate
  • Belmont Primary School
  • Otahuhu Primary School
  • Birkdale Intermediate School
  • Our Lady Star of the Sea School
  • Birkenhead College
  • Pakuranga College
  • Blockhouse Bay Intermediate
  • Pakuranga Heights School
  • Browns Bay School
  • Pakuranga Intermediate
  • Bucklands Beach Intermediate
  • Panmure District School
  • Bucklands Beach Primary
  • Papatoetoe High School
  • Campbells Bay School
  • Papatoetoe Intermediate
  • Carmel College
  • Papatoetoe North School
  • Corran School
  • Papatoetoe South School
  • De la Salle College
  • Papatoetoe West School
  • Dilworth School
  • Pasadena Intermediate
  • Diocesan School for Girls
  • Pinehurst School
  • Edendale Primary School
  • Ponsonby Intermediate
  • Edgewater College
  • Rangeview Intermediate
  • Ellerslie School
  • Rangitoto College
  • Elm Park School
  • Remuera Intermediate
  • Epsom Girls Grammar School
  • Remuera Primary School
  • Fairburn School
  • Riverhills School
  • Farm Cove Intermediate
  • Rosehill College
  • Forrest Hill School
  • Rosehill Intermediate
  • Glamorgan School
  • Rosmini College
  • Glen Eden Intermediate
  • Royal Oak Intermediate
  • Glendowie College
  • Rutherford College
  • Glendowie Primary
  • Sacred Heart College
  • Glenfield College
  • Sancta Maria College
  • Glenfield Intermediate
  • Selwyn College
  • Glenfield Primary School
  • Seventh Day Adventist High School
  • Green Bay High School
  • Somerville Intermediate
  • Gulf Harbour School
  • St Cuthberts College
  • Henderson High School
  • St Dominics College
  • Henderson Intermediate
  • St Ignatius School
  • Holy Cross School (Henderson)
  • St Johns School
  • Holy Cross School (Papatoetoe)
  • St Josephs School (Onehunga)
  • Howick College
  • St Josephs School (Otahuhu)
  • Howick Intermediate
  • St Josephs School (Takapuna)
  • Jean Batten Primary
  • St Kentigern School
  • Kadimah College
  • St Leonards Road School
  • Kaurilands School
  • St Marks School
  • Kedgley Intermediate
  • St Marys College
  • Kelston Boys High School
  • St Marys School (Ellerslie)
  • Kelston Girls College
  • St Marys School (Northcote)
  • Kelston Intermediate
  • St Peters College
  • Kings School
  • St Thomas' School
  • Kingsway School
  • Stella Maris Primary
  • Liston College

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