Auckland bus drivers reject pay offer
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Thousands of Auckland bus commuters may once more face disruptions from industrial disputes.
Bus drivers and cleaners have “over whelmingly rejected” a pay offer from NZ Bus at a stop work today, said a union spokesperson.
The 900 bus drivers and cleaners in the Auckland Combined Union had called for a work to rule.
On Wednesday threatened industrial action which was estimated to affect up to 80,000 Auckland commuters was averted after the union and NZ Bus reached a compromise pay offer.
The drivers were seeking an increase of 6. In response the company said it would lock them out.05, only $1.8 percent this year, taking the starting wage from $14. .05 more than the minimum wage, to $15 an hour, the union said.75 after nine months of service.30 after three months employment before peaking at $16.9 percent increase over three years which he said was exceptionally fair in this economy.
NZ Bus operations manager Zane Fulljames said they had offered a 9.
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Mr Fulljames said the lockout had been put in place as the company could not operate safely or reliably if the workers were working to rule