Auckland bus row goes back to mediation

The long-running wages dispute which took hundreds of buses off Auckland roads last month enters another stage next week.

Department of Labour mediators, NZ Bus and unions are due to meet on Monday for talks after union members rejected an offer negotiated by the four unions acting for them.

Internal ructions within the four unions were patched up after a majority of union members turned down the negotiated offer last week.

Last month, nearly 900 drivers worked to rule and were locked out, leaving 90,000 passengers to find other ways to get to and from work and school.

Union spokesman Karl Andersen said progress was being made with the Department of Labour mediator.

Mediation was not compulsory on either side but negotiations were back to where they were before the union members voted against the settlement, Mr Andersen said.

The combined unions had recommended an offer, which included a pay increase from $16.75 to $18.75 an hour over three years, but said other clauses in the agreement covering sickness and complaints were not acceptable.

- NZPA