Negotiations between New World First Bus and two drivers' unions representing its 1,700 drivers have stalled, with neither side willing to make significant concessions over a plan to scrap the drivers' guaranteed annual bonus.
The two sides, which met for a second time yesterday under the auspices of the Labour Department, have agreed to a third meeting next Tuesday to continue their talks.
Legislator Leung Fu-wah, who has been advising the unions, said: 'We've made progress, but there is still a large gap and no action, so they will have to meet again. We have to talk about how to move forward.'
Both Mr Leung and officials from New World First Bus said both parties continued to show a 'sincere desire to work out a solution' to the issue.
But one official from New World First Bus said there was a 'discrepancy about expectations from the drivers'.
'The bottom-line is that we are facing some serious economic difficulties and we need to have the discretionary scheme in place to ensure the company's future,' the official said.
Mr Leung said the latest proposals from the two sides involved the drivers' offer of a 20 per cent reduction in the guaranteed bonus.
