Were bus drivers right to accept the pay offer?

Workers are divided over the wisdom of turning down a backdated pay deal so close to Christmas. Photo / Richard Robinson

Auckland bus passengers are assured of 2 years of industrial peace after drivers agreed yesterday to end a long and bitter pay dispute.

About 600 NZ Bus drivers and cleaners voted by an 80 per cent majority to accept a company offer amounting to a 20c hourly pay rise in three instalments.

That will lift the top hourly rate for drivers with at least nine months service to $17.45 now, $18.15 next year and $18.75 in February 2012.

Were bus drivers right to accept the pay offer?