Around 50 Birkenhead bus drivers on Auckland’s North Shore scheduled to take part in strike action have come to a satisfying arrangement with their employer.

It means Birkenhead drivers will sit on the side lines as drivers from other companies go ahead with industrial action in the coming weeks.

Drivers want an alternative to the PTOM, and the issues that it has caused to be settled. While these include rostering and pay disputes, for Birkenhead buses the negotiation focused on not allowing the company to bring in flat rates that would have slowly removed allowances as established drivers left the company.

FIRST Union Organiser Graham McKean says the win means Birkenhead drivers have increased bereavement entitlements, and rates for new drivers were improved.

“The service allowance increases will help the company attract new drivers and to retain them. The company took on board the need to recruit and retain drivers and agreed in principle to fair pay agreements.”

ENDS

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