Improved offer of 10.4% rejected.
September 11, 2009
The rejection of the latest 10.4% pay offer is “bitterly disappointing and frustrating for the company and Auckland commuters”, says Zane Fulljames, General Manager Operations, NZ Bus.
At this morning’s stopwork meeting, the Auckland Combined Unions representing bus drivers and cleaners who work for Metrolink, North Star, Go West, Waka Pacific, LINK and City Circuit bus services rejected the company’s offer tabled at a mediation meeting on Tuesday September 8.
Representatives from NZ Bus had attended mediation on Tuesday at the request of the Auckland Combined Unions.
“We put an improved offer on the table in a bid to avert industrial action, and limit the impact on Auckland commuters,” says Mr Fulljames. “The offer had moved substantially to 10.4% over three years.”
Despite the improved offer, the Unions have rejected the offer and indicated that they will meet on Sunday to discuss their next course of action.
“The Unions have clearly lost touch with economic reality” says Fulljames. “We have been very clear that the offer tabled on Tuesday was our best offer.”
The offer presented to the Auckland Combined Unions on Tuesday 8th September meant
· A trainee driver who is currently earning $14.05 an hour would have received a 13 % increase over a three year term
· A new driver who is currently earning $15.82 an hour would have received a 12% increase over a three year term
· Drivers who have worked over 9 months who are currently earning $16.75 an hour would have received a 11 % increase over a three year term
Ninety percent of drivers have worked for the company for longer than 9 months and are paid at the top rate.
“The company invests in excess of $41.5 million dollars a year in its people in Auckland. The improved offer represented an additional 4.75 million dollars to our people over three years,” Fulljames continues.
“We ask that the Unions rethink their position carefully,”says Fulljames. “We are keen to hear what they have to say on Sunday evening. We will advise customers as soon as we know what the outcome of the Unions meeting is.”
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