On May 11, in a secret ballot, 92% of striking bus drivers rejected a company pay offer of $15 an hour in November, to be followed by an increase to $16 an hour in March 2007. The drivers are now demanding $16 immediately, and $17 by November. The drivers voted to go back to work, thanking passengers for supporting them so far, but will keep overtime bans on and resume strikes after the June long weekend. The mood among the bus drivers shows a militancy rare for the last decades — at the Auckland meeting, workers sang “We shall not be moved” for 15 minutes. To offer solidarity, email <gcm@actrix.gen.nz>.

From Green Left Weekly, May 25, 2005.
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