NZ Bus offers new deal to avoid strike

Bus services will likely be slowed by the strike action, which will see drivers strictly following protocol. Photo / NZPA

NZ Bus have offered their bus drivers a modified deal in an attempt to avoid Monday's planned strike.

The company said in a statement it would offer a further increase to $20.40 an hour from December 2014, an additional 40c on its previous offer.

"We would strongly urge the unions to lift the notice of strike action today, provide Aucklanders with certainty of service provision moving forward, and get back around the table to see if there are any other areas we can work on that are non-financial that may help us get across the line," said NZ Bus chief operating officer Shane McMahon.

He urged the unions to meet with company representatives urgently.

The drivers want an immediate increase on their hourly wage to $19.50 to be followed by a 50c rise to $20 in July next year.

The company's initial offer was a 40c increase to $19.15, a further 40c rise in July 2013 and another increase to $20 in December 2013.

The latest offer would add another 40c in December 2014.

First Union spokesman Karl Andersen would not comment on the new offer until drivers met with company representatives.

They were willing to do this tomorrow), he said.

The all-day strike was still scheduled to go ahead on Monday - the first of eight such strikes.