Call for Review of Auckland Transport Tendering Process

Media release from FIRST Union

18 February 2016

FIRST Union Assistant General Secretary, Karl Andersen says the Auckland Transport tendering process plays a big part in the industrial unrest in the bus industry.

“There is an urgent need for them to review how they are making their contract decisions,” he says.

“The tendering process is structured in such a way that bus companies have to compete on the cost of labour to tender for runs successfully.

“This leads to a race to the bottom in terms of pay and conditions, disruption and uncertainty in the lives of workers and public inconvenience.

“For example around 200 drivers employed by NZ Bus will lose their jobs shortly because NZ Bus has lost its contract in South Auckland to companies that pay significantly less.

“Drivers know they are at the mercy of Auckland Transport when it comes to their job security and this leads to an unstable industrial environment as well as individual anxiety and stress.

Mr Andersen says that hiding behind commercial confidentiality and the need to use public money efficiently is not a good enough excuse for Auckland Transport’s disregard for the drivers who have to actually go to work and transport customers from A to B every day.

“Aucklanders have a right to expect a more responsible approach from the organisation charged with providing public transport.

“Drivers and their families are part of the wider community too. Their well-being should be considered when tender guidelines are set.”

ENDS

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