28 Sep 2009

Auckland bus pay talks break down again

10:18 pm on 28 September 2009

issue a notice of industrial action.

Unions representing bus drivers and other workers at NZ Bus in Auckland have rejected their employer's latest pay offer and will

issue a notice of industrial action.

Mediation between the Auckland Combined Unions and the company, which oversees six bus brands in Auckland, has again failed to bring an end to the dispute.

NZ Bus says it made an improved offer of a 10.5% increase over three years - a substantial offer in tough economic times, it says - but unions spokesperson Karl Andersen says it's a backward step, not an improvement.

An industrial action notice will be issued within two days. The type of action is yet to be decided, but it will not involve a full strike.