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Source: ONE News -
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Auckland bus drivers and cleaners will meet next Thursday to vote on an agreement to resolve their lengthy pay dispute.
Union negotiator Karl Andersen, of the National Distribution Union (NDU), said there was now an agreed position to take back to the ratification meetings.
"It's a slightly different offer," he said.
He declined further comment on the new offer and said it was difficult to predict whether it would be accepted.
"I've made predictions before that haven't come true. But there is a very strong commitment by the unions to recommend it to members.
"There's a commitment by all of the unions to recommend a deal, and the members will vote on Thursday whether to accept the offer or not," Andersen said.
Each union will have their own ratification meeting at different locations across Auckland.
Infratil-owned bus company NZ Bus and negotiators for the four unions representing about 900 bus drivers and cleaners spent much of Monday with a Department of Labour mediator to try to find an agreement on the six-month long contract dispute.
The mediation resumed after the four unions patched up differences between them following the rejection of an earlier deal recommended by negotiators.
NDU members threatened to accept the deal after it was rejected by 55% of drivers, most of whom were from the majority Tramways Union. A 60% approval was needed.
The workers concerned work are employed for Metrolink, Go West, Waka Pacific, North Star, Link and City Circuit bus services.
The dispute led to widespread disruption to services for several days last month.
