Free bus rides in Hamilton as drivers continue action for fair pay

Passengers on Pavlovich Coachlines in Hamilton will ride their bus for free tomorrow as 30 drivers renew strike action for fair pay and secure conditions.

The ban on handling fares, both cash and electronic, follows a demonstration outside the Hamilton Transport Centre last Thursday morning.

FIRST Union met with owner and CEO Bernard Pavlovich at mediation on Tuesday in the hope of resolving the dispute, but Pavlovich refused to talk unless the drivers promised to weaken their legal right to take industrial action.

“Pavlovich came to the table with no intention of giving the drivers a fair go,” said FIRST Union organiser Tony Stevens.

“The company refused to talk with us unless our drivers agreed to weaken their right to take action for fair pay and secure conditions.”

“Pavlovich has given up on good faith. He won’t put through back pay for our members, he wants to add in 90 day trials, and he wants the drivers to agree to conditions that’ll disadvantage future union members.”

“Pavlovich isn’t listening to the drivers and the only way we can get his attention is to take action. So we’ve decided to hit the wealthy company where it hurts – their wallet,” said Stevens.

“The last thing our drivers want to do is inconvenience the public, so that’s why they’ll still be operating the buses. The only difference is passengers won’t be charged for the trip.”

FIRST Union says the public can show support for the drivers by taking a free ride. Pavlovich Coachlines runs The Orbiter and Huntly Connector bus routes and several key school routes.

Pavlovich drivers won’t be receiving fares for bus rides from 5am to 10.30pm on Thursday 15 December.

ENDS

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