13 December 2017

“Champions” – bus drivers congratulate Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Bus companies in the Bay of Plenty are on notice: pay drivers fairly, or risk missing out on public bus contracts.

This comes after the Bay of Plenty Regional Council included drivers’ pay in the list of considerations it will take into account when awarding public bus contracts to private bus companies.

Companies paying higher wages will score more in the tendering process than companies paying low wages.

FIRST Union, the union representing many bus drivers in the Bay of Plenty, is applauding the move.

“Our members are stoked,” said FIRST Union spokesperson Lauren Usher.

“Under the old model the companies cutting pay were often the companies winning the contracts. When Go Bus won the tender for public bus services in parts of the Bay back in 2008 drivers’ pay went from $16.50 per hour to $14.27 per hour. For many drivers it took until 2017 for wages to reach $16.50 again.”

“But the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s decision means bus companies now have an incentive to not only maintain drivers’ wages but to actually lift them. This is a great step forward,” said Usher.

“Bus companies should find cost-savings with things like better fuel efficiency, cutting wages isn’t an appropriate form of cost-saving, and now the Bay of Plenty Regional Council has made that clear.”

“Our members are thanking the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and calling on other councils other the country to follow their example.”

ENDS

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