Bus driver pay talks at 'a delicate stage'

The drivers have rejected one pay-rise proposal and their negotiators will meet NZ Bus chiefs again tomorrow. Photo / Richard Robinson

All-day negotiations between Auckland bus drivers and their employers have left the dispute at a delicate standstill.

NZ Bus, which runs Auckland's main bus fleet, will meet drivers' representatives again tomorrow to negotiate pay rates and terms of contract, which are back on the table after a seven-day lockout two weeks ago.

Combined unions spokesman Karl Andersen said the parties had not been able to reach an agreement on Friday but were hopeful of a breakthrough when they met again.

"[We talked for] most of the day but we haven't made sufficient progress.

"It's at a bit of a delicate stage. We're at a stage where we've agreed not to talk about offers and counter-offers publicly," Mr Andersen said.

Negotiations were mediated by Keith Shaw from the Department of Labour's mediation service, he said.

NZ Bus spokeswoman Megan McSweeney said the fact that the two sides were at the negotiating table was a positive sign. "The two parties are talking and that in itself provides a positive platform."

Previously, unions have demanded pay rises totalling $1.80 an hour in two instalments over 29 months, and an increase in the overtime rate from time and a quarter to time and a half.

The company has offered the pay rises in three instalments over 36 months but no change to the overtime rate.

The Employment Relations Authority had recommended pay rises totalling $1.40 an hour in two instalments over 30 months and no change to the overtime rate. About 500 drivers and cleaners voted by a 95 per cent margin to reject the recommendation.