Auckland bus strikes off, after NZ Bus and unions struck a deal

Thursday, 19 April 2018

Auckland commuters will no longer be hit by bus strikes next week, after public transport operator NZ Bus and the unions representing drivers struck a deal.

In a joint statement on Thursday, NZ Bus, CTU and First Union said a new two-year contract had been agreed on, following months of negotiations which saw both sides making compromises. 

The agreement, which would be put to bus drivers early next week for ratification, means planned strikes next week will no longer proceed. 

CTU national president Richard Wagstaff said the deal 'sets a new benchmark in Auckland on wages and work practices for the industry'. 

**READ MORE: 

* Auckland bus services still disrupted as reduced drivers' strike continues

* Bus strike affects commuters on Tuesday

* Union meeting disrupts Auckland buses**

'NZ Bus is a fair employer and although negotiations were protracted and tough, they have been conducted in good faith, allowing us to reach a good agreement for drivers,' Wagstaff said.

Claire Neville, NZ Bus general manager operations, said she was 'delighted' the parties had agreed terms that 'provided certainty to the company's Auckland commuters for the next two years and were fair to NZ Bus drivers'.

Earlier in the week, commuters were put out by cancelled bus services across Auckland, coupled with unrelated train delays.

Instead of transporting passengers, bus drivers attended union meetings to decide a way forward in negotiations with NZ Bus.

West Auckland commuters had the most trouble, with services departing suburbs throughout the area cancelled.