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Thursday October 25, 2018
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Unions in solidarity as bus drivers begin strike Continued from page 1. Due to a legal loophole, the start date was deferred to October 25. It is possible the strike will last until November 30. While Uzabus operates on the Kapiti Coast, Tranzurban operates 50 percent of buses within the Wellington City network. About 140 of Tranzurban’s drivers are members of the union, while 50 work for Uzabus. It came after NZ Bus drivers rejected a deal struck between their employer and the union at Friday’s meeting. Those drivers will continue to work as negotiations go back to the drawing board. Striking was the only option for Tranzurban union members, Tramways secretary Kevin O’Sullivan says. Since Tranzurban joined NZ Bus as operators on a new Wellington bus network this year, drivers have been pushing for better pay and conditions, with claims they are working up to 14 hours a day. They have also voted no confidence in Greater Wellington Regional Council for allowing the situation to happen, and have called for a commissioner to take over management of the network. A demonstration organised by Unions Wellington, a local
The Brass Razoo Solidarity Band performs during the demonstration at Cuba Mall on Monday. PHOTO: Jamie Adams
affiliate of the Council of Trade Unions, took place at Cuba Mall on Monday, with at least 100 people turning up in support. Convenor Ben Peterson told the crowd it was fitting the protest took place on Labour Day when “working people are celebrated”. He said the bus companies brought in by the regional council had “refused to give drivers a fair deal”. “We are here to pledge that every day we will be there to support them.” Wellington City Councillors Sarah Free and Fleur Fitzsimons also attended the protest
to declare their support for the drivers. “We have to send a strong message that bus drivers, like all Wellingtonians, should have decent wages,” Sarah said. “This is important to Wellington City Council as we are now a living wage employer.” In a statement Tranzurban says bargaining negotiations are still underway and are only in the early stages after mediation through the Ministry of Business Innovation and Enterprise was accepted by the Tramways Union. “We are disappointed that the Tramways Union have
continued with what we see as premature and poorly thought out strike action,” spokesperson Helen Tickner says. “Expecting members to go for up to five weeks without pay is excessive and unfair, particularly as we are still in the early stages of negotiations.” Tranzurban claims it pays Wellington drivers a standard starting rate of $22.20 an hour, nearly $2 more than the living wage of $20.55. Others earn at least $21.40 an hour. It also says no drivers are permitted to work 14-hour shifts and have to take breaks every five-and-a-half hours.
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Plan ahead, Metlink warns commuters Greater Wellington’s public transport network agency Metlink says travellers should plan ahead in case the route they travel on is affected by striking Tranzurban bus drivers. Metlink spokesman Alan Seay says exactly how any industrial action may play out is difficult to predict, but it will
keep bus travellers updated on the evolving situation through the Metlink website and social media channels. The Metlink website shows that more than 180 routes, including school routes, could be affected by the strike, but Alan emphasises that Greater Wellington is uncertain as to which ones will be affected.
“ T he key me ssage for our customers is to please check before you travel. Use Metlink’s app or website to check for cancelled services.” Alan says Metlink regrets the impact industrial action will have on bus customers. The strike comes at a time when the regional council released data showing the
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vast majority of buses are now leaving on time. “I am happy to report that performance of buses leaving point of origin on time on core city routes, has now lifted to 91 percent,” chief executive Greg Campbell says in a statement released last week. “We are aiming to lift this further to 95 percent.”
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