Standstill looms for capital’s buses

Commuter chaos could be coming with Wellington’s bus drivers threatening a strike after voting unanimously not to sign any agreement with new employer Tranzit that does not keep their pay and conditions the same.

On Thursday, buses in Wellington were cancelled from 9am to 2.30pm as more than 300 drivers and other workers at stop work meetings voted to refuse to sign any new employment agreement that cuts their pay and conditions.

The meetings follow Greater Wellington Regional Council awarding the status of preferred bidder for most of Wellington’s bus services to Masterton company Tranzit, instead of Infratil, which currently runs them. The agreement to run the services is yet to be signed.

Senior Go Wellington drivers in Wellington City earn $19.35 an hour but can increase that through penal rates, such as double-time on Sundays, time-and-a-half on Saturdays, and an increased rate for longer days.

Tranzit managing director Paul Snelgrove said the company would pay a flat rate of $22 an hour, but there would be no extra payments.

He said the new rate was fair and any concern about loss of penalty rates was misguided because the flat rate was between 14 and 18 per cent higher than drivers’ current senior and starter rates, respectively.

Although the contract was still being negotiated, Snelgrove said Tranzit would not bend to drivers’ demands if it won the contract.

Driver Wendy Parsons, who lives in a shed in Otaki because it was too expensive to live in the city, said wages were bad enough without having vital penalty rates cut, which can add up to thousands per year.

She said strike action could follow if the collective agreement was not met by Tranzit.

‘‘The regional council has accepted a contract that takes millions of dollars from drivers – they think it’s going to save money, but it’s at the cost of experienced drivers and a decent public transport system. We’re simply not going to work for Tranzit unless we get a fair deal. Many of us simply can’t afford to.

‘‘We’re ready to stick to our guns. With the outsourcing and competitive tendering adopted by government and councils, we’re seeing a race to the bottom. The only variable now is our wages and conditions, which is where they make their money,’’ she said.

Council chairman Chris Laidlaw previously said he was proud of the tender process and was confident the outcome would have long-reaching benefits for the Wellington region. He would not comment yesterday because negotiations with Tranzit and Palmerston North-based Uzabus were ongoing.

Chief operating officer of Infratil subsidiary NZ Bus Tonia Haskell also declined comment while negotiations were ongoing.

Labour MP Trevor Mallard said at the stop work meeting that he was appalled by the situation.

Mallard said the new contract would almost certainly mean lower wages for drivers and was part of a deliberate strategy by the Ministry of Transport and the council to get the cheapest possible bus service at the expense of workers’ wages.

Further stop work action is planned for drivers on Newlands and Mana bus services on Wednesday, affecting services between Wellington and Waikanae.