Unions do not contact Company.

Metrolink, Waka Pacific, Go West, North Star, Link and City Circuit bus services remain suspended Monday 12 October

“The Unions offer to run school bus services next week while their notice of strike action still stands is at best misguided and is at worst mischievous” says Zane Fulljames GM Operations.

The Auckland Combined Unions issued a media release late Friday evening offering to run school bus services from Monday. This offer was not raised in facilitation during that day, nor was it communicated to the company on Friday or at any other time during the weekend.

Negotiations to agree a Collective Employment Agreement between NZ Bus and the four unions that make up the Auckland Combined Unions have been ongoing for five months. The Auckland Combined Unions is made up of a coalition of the Tramways Union, the Akarana Bus Drivers Association, the National Distribution Union and EPMU.

“This is both disappointing and disingenuous behavior by the Unions,” Fulljames continues. “Despite being in facilitation to jointly work on solutions they chose to tell media about an offer they still are yet to approach us on. The unions are well aware that their offer to provide school services while sounding conciliatory, cannot logistically be accommodated.”

“If the unions are genuine , they can lift the notice of strike action before 10am Monday and we will work around the clock with them to have all of our services inclusive of school services resumed on Tuesday," says Fulljames. “The announcement made by the Unions is inflammatory. If the unions are genuine around settling this dispute....lift the notice of strike action.... and Auckland can return to normal Tuesday morning."

“We do not want to see our customers confused. Our focus is now on communicating with our customers and advising them to make alternate travel arrangements, ” Fulljames continues.

Talks between the two parties have continued to be facilitated by the Employment Relations Authority throughout the weekend and will continue on Monday, 12 October.

A full list of school services affected is available on www.nzbus.co.nz
Look under “Our News”, Friday 9th October to find out if your service is impacted.

ENDS

© Scoop Media