Robertson: Bus Lockout Needs To End

Thursday, 25 September 2008, 4:00 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Labour Party

Labour Candidate for Wellington Central

Media Release
25 September 2008

Bus Lockout Needs To End: Parties Should Return To The Table

The Labour Candidate for Wellington Central, Grant Robertson, today called for the end of the lockout of Wellington bus drivers, and for a return to the negotiating table.

“While the peak hour strike action might have been an inconvenience for Wellingtonians, the total loss of services created by the lockout is a cause for considerable concern. More and more people are reliant on bus services, including school children and the elderly. The city cannot afford this dispute to carry on,” Grant said.

“The drivers need to know that Wellingtonians truly appreciate the job they do for us every day of the week. Driving a bus in Wellington is a skilled job, and there is also an expectation of high customer service performance. $12.72 per hour (the current rate) is an unacceptable level of pay for this kind of job. A significant pay increase is totally justified,“ Grant said.

“As a first step I would like to see Go Wellington end the lockout, and the parties re-start talks towards an agreement on improved pay and conditions,” Grant said.

ENDS

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