Bus and train workers unite to protest Auckland Transport

When: Friday 10 November at 11am
Where: Viaduct Event Centre, 161 Halsey Street, Auckland
What: Bus and train drivers deliver petition to Auckland Transport

Bus drivers and train managers are uniting on Friday morning to deliver two petitions to Auckland Transport protesting the degradation of both bus and train services.

The petitions were signed by tens of thousands of concerned passengers.

Phil Morgan, spokesperson for Bus Drivers First, the union representing bus drivers, said thousands of bus drivers have suffered wage cuts and lost their job security due to decisions made by the Auckland Transport board.

John Kerr, from the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU), said train managers are equally frustrated with Auckland Transport’s operating model.

“Passengers on train services are upset that Auckland Transport is proposing to remove the train managers that help keep passengers safe,” said Kerr.

Members from Bus Drivers First, the Auckland Tramways Union and RMTU will be delivering petitions on the two issues to councillor Mike Lee.

“The cuts have forced experienced drivers out of the industry” said Phil Morgan.

“We had no problem collecting tens of thousands of signatures because our passengers overwhelmingly support us,” he added.

“We want to protect the safety and the security of our passengers and our jobs” Kerr concluded.

ENDS

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