Auckland's long-running bus dispute is over. Drivers and cleaners employed by NZ Bus have accepted the company's latest offer - the same offer they rejected earlier this month.
The offer of an 11.5% pay increase spread over the next three years was accepted by a majority of about 900 workers from four unions at a stopwork meeting at lunchtime on Thursday.
The workers rejected the same pay offer earlier this month.
Tramways Union president Gary Froggatt says that although union members were still unhappy with the offer, 80% of those at the meeting voted for it.
"The members were disappointed that there's not more money on the table, especially if they come from a low-paid base," Mr Froggatt says. "There were concerns that the company still hadn't addressed the hours of work and the long broken shifts."
He says, however, that such issues will be considered as part of a "consultative group process" in the New Year.
Two clauses relating to sickness and the disciplinary process have been amended, he says.
NZ Bus says it's pleased with the outcome. The increase, back-dated to July, will be paid out as quickly as possible.
