GO Wellington and its bus drivers union have reached agreement on a new pay deal on Tuesday, a week after thousands of commuters were left stranded as a result of industrial action.
But the deal will have to be ratified by the drivers at a meeting next week.
Bus drivers walked off the job for one hour during the morning rush hour last Wednesday and GO Wellington retaliated by locking out the drivers on Thursday.
Services were restored to normal on Friday after the Tramways and Manufacturing and Construction unions agreed to withdraw their notice of strike action and to return to the negotiating table.
Auckland bus drivers had said they would support their Wellington colleagues in any further industrial action if the talks failed.
GO Wellington and the unions had been negotiating a collective employment agreement (CEA) since July 2.
Today, in a joint statement, the unions and GO Wellington said they had reached agreement on a proposed CEA. “We are delighted that all parties are focused on securing an agreement that meets the needs of both our customers and our people,” NZ Bus southern region general manager Zane Fulljames said.
“The unions have agreed to recommend the proposed CEA to their members at a ratification meeting.”
The ratification meeting will be held next week. As soon as details were confirmed, GO Wellington would tell its customers to advise them of the disruption to services.
The joint statement reads: “Wellington City Transport Limited and the Tramways Union and the Manufacturing and Construction Workers Union reached an agreement on a proposal for a Collective Employment Agreement at mediation today. The unions will recommend to their members that they ratify the proposal at a ratification meeting to be held next week.”
NZPA
