Bus drivers plan 8 days of stoppages

Eight days of commuter chaos are in store for some bus users as bus drivers across eight Auckland depots take part in rolling strikes. First Union has issued a statement saying strikes will take place between April 17 and 27 to push for fairer pay and work conditions for drivers from NZ Bus.

Drivers at the Swanson, Mt Roskill, Onehunga, Orewa, North Shore, Wiri, Panmure and city depots will take lower-level industrial action by stopping work to attend union meetings to decide a way forward after recent failed negotiations with the company. High-level industrial action is likely to follow.

First Union said bus drivers’ pay packets had borne the brunt of a council tendering process installed by the previous Government that encourages bus companies to cut wages to offer the cheapest tender to council contracts for bus routes.

Companies were struggling to get bus drivers and as a consequence of supply and demand needed to pay significantly more to attract and retain drivers, the union said.

The company was also attempting to cut overtime in new workers’ contracts.

First Union organiser Graham McKean said Auckland bus drivers wanted an alternative to the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM), and the problems it had caused to be settled.

McKean said it was unfortunate that the morning strikes might affect commuters, but it was a last resort.

“We don’t like disrupting services, but we have been in lengthy negotiations with NZ Bus and we simply have no other option so are encouraging commuters to leave home early, or arrange alternative transport.”

The first of eight early morning strikes is today at the Swanson bus depot, followed by tomorrow at the Mt Roskill depot, Thursday at the Onehunga depot and Friday at the Orewa depot.

Strikes will continue next week with a strike on Monday at the North Shore depot, Tuesday at the Wiri depot, Thursday at the City depot, and Friday at the Panmure depot.

A NZ Bus representative said the company was proposing a flat rate for new drivers joining it in Auckland.

“NZ Bus is proposing a flat rate that aligns with the new Living Wage plus 10 per cent to reflect the added cost of living in Auckland. This forms part of an overall offer that has been made to the unions.”

Auckland Transport spokesman Mark Hannan said customers should check the AT website to see what services are affected.

Train and ferry services are not affected by the strike.