Buses cancelled as union votes on pay

Auckland bus users face further disruption tomorrow as drivers and cleaners meet for another vote on their lengthy pay dispute.

New Zealand Bus and four unions negotiating for 900 employees have been in talks for the past six months.

Two of the unions, which represent about 30 of the workers, have already met over the company's latest offer of a new collective employment agreement.

The Tramways Union and the Akarana Bus Drivers Association, which represent the balance, are to hold their ratification meetings tomorrow.

The result is that there will be no Metrolink, Go West, Waka Pacific, North Star, Link and City Circuit bus services between 10am and 1.30pm tomorrow, NZ Bus said today.

Full services would run until 9.30am and again from 2pm.

School bus services would not be affected.

A combined ratification meeting involving all four union three weeks ago resulted in the offer then on the table being voted down, despite a recommendation by the unions' bargaining unit that it be accepted.

The pay dispute led to widespread disruption to services for several days last month.

- NZPA