Bus drivers strike in Waikato for the fourth time

Bus drivers strike in Waikato for the fourth time as ERA is brought in to assist talks

Over a hundred drivers in the Waikato region will once again carry out strike and picket action (for the fourth time in relation to this round of bargaining) tomorrow (Wednesday 26thSeptember) as the Employment Relations Authority is brought in for facilitated bargaining in Auckland.

The continuous strike action will take place tomorrow from 5:30am until 9:30am the following day (26th September) and will cover the Waikato and King Country regions.
The picket will take place from 7:00am to 9am tomorrow on the corner of Bryce and Anglesea Streets, Hamilton Transport Centre.

Bargaining has been ongoing for more than a year and a resolution has not been met. The relationship between Waikato, Auckland bus drivers and Go Bus has been problematic for some time and has only worsened as drivers’ warnings of safety and wellbeing continue to fall on deaf ears. Hence the stalled talks now require a third party to step in and facilitate. Facilitation is bargaining facilitated by an authority member. Go Bus requested this and we strongly supported this move.

The strike and picket tomorrow seeks to send a clear message to negotiators in Auckland; drivers’ skills and experience needs to be valued and they won’t be settling for anything less than the Living Wage. Drivers are severely underpaid at $17.35- $19.46 an hour despite their skills and experience.

FIRST Union’s Transport, Logistics and Manufacturing Secretary Jared Abbott says many drivers cannot afford the basic necessities.
“Our drivers are adamant they should be earning living wages and we completely back them. Many struggle to pay for the basic necessities such as the dentist and often can’t afford the time to spend with their grandkids and bills are a struggle.”

“Everybody should be able to afford the necessities and a fair pay to be able to be financially secure and to be able to socialise with family and friends; a pivotal part to any healthy lifestyle. Bottom line; if you’re working full time you should be able to, at the very least, afford life’s necessities. Go Bus needs to value its workers.”

Mr Abbott says the stalemate has to end.
“We need a return to stability in the Waikato region for drivers and their communities. The company has signalled it would pay the Living Wage if the Waikato District Council subsidised these wages so it’s evident the Council could play a pivotal role here too.”

ENDS

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