Tuesday 16 February 2016

Strike at NZ Bus

Unions representing NZ Bus workers are astounded at the statement of NZ Bus Chief Operating Officer, Shane McMahon, this morning that he did not know what NZ Bus drivers are wanting.

Over 1000 bus drivers at NZ Bus will walk off the job on Friday for 24 hours following the failure of the company to return to the table for meaningful bargaining.

The drivers are frustrated by the company’s failure to acknowledge the issues they have raised regarding rosters and their concerns over break times of 4 hour for split shifts

“The key issues of this dispute are about the health and safety of driver. The company claims that the NZ Bus drivers have the best conditions in New Zealand but this is not true. None of the other major bus companies have four hour breaks between split shifts” says FIRST Union organiser Rudd Hughes.

“These conditions are hard on drivers, who undertake much of their work in peak traffic, and result in stress and fatigue. Drivers often at work for 12 hour a day for only 8 hours pay,” says Hughes.

“All drivers are asking for is to be treated in the same way other companies treat their drivers when it comes to breaks. They also want certainty they will have some input into the way the rosters are created.

“The company is refusing to return to the negotiation table until 29February. This is far too long for union members as bargaining began in November and there has only been one further session since then.

“We are calling on NZ Bus to start negotiating with us in a meaningful way and to start showing some responsibility for the health and safety of its drivers,” says Hughes.

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