新西兰英语 197 Strikes and lockouts

　　There may be some disruption¹ to bus services in Auckland tomorrow as NZ Bus intends to lock out bus drivers. This is in response to a strike that the unions had organised. The unions want pay increases for their drivers who currently² earn between $14.05 to $16.75 an hour. Last month NZ Bus offered a pay increase of 9.9 per cent over three years but the unions rejected this. They want a 4.2 per cent increase over the next year. Unions also want drivers to have 10 minutes between each run so that they can stretch and go to the bathroom. NZ Bus has said that the lock out is necessary because they are unable to run their business safely or reliably without the striking³ drivers. People should make other arrangements and not rely on catching⁴ the bus. Up to 80,000 people catch the bus each day in Auckland alone.
Strikes and lockouts are legal in New Zealand with some exceptions, for example, if it is an essential service such as a fire brigade and the union has not given enough warning. If an employer locks out employees, they cannot work and they will not get paid. There are a lot of terms and conditions around striking and the proper process of giving notice must be followed for it to be legal.
Contributed by Anita Jones

1 disruption   

n.分裂

参考例句：

• The state was in disruption. 国家处于分崩离析之中。
• Such storms cause considerable disruption in magnetic prospecting operation. 这种磁暴对磁法勘探产生严重的破坏。

2 currently   

adv.通常地，普遍地，当前

参考例句：

• Currently it is not possible to reconcile this conflicting evidence.当前还未有可能去解释这一矛盾的例证。
• Our contracts are currently under review.我们的合同正在复查。

3 striking   

adj.显著的，惹人注目的，容貌出众的

参考例句：

• There is a striking difference between Jane and Mary.简和玛丽之间有显著的差异。
• What is immediately striking is how resourceful the children are.最令人注目的是孩子们的机智聪明。

4 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。