Calling a strike is the only way bus driver union members could meet to discuss their bargaining progress, says northern distribution union transport sector secretary Karl Andersen.
"We've had to deem it a strike, but in actual fact it's the only way we can get a meeting of all our members," says Karl.

At any time, bus drivers are on different runs and at different places across town. Without cooperation from Bay Hopper operator Go Bus, the only way to get them in one place at the same time was to call a strike, says Karl.
"We tried to get go bus to cooperate with us, run the place with management and a couple of non-union people for a couple of hours, but we were unable to resolve that. It left us with no option."
The union members stopped work from 6am till 8am.
Go Bus managing director Callum Haslop says union members' two previous meetings were held on Sundays without causing disruption to Yellow Hopper services.
Tauranga drivers that have been with Go Bus for nine months wouldn't ordinarily be eligible for any wage increase for another three months, says Callum.
Go Bus have offered eligible union and contract staff a 5.1 per cent wage increase.
"The only thing I can conclude is they wanted to ratchet up the pressure on us."