Bus drivers at Tranzit’s Wellington operations returned to work today from two am as a sign of good faith ahead of mediation tomorrow.

Wellington Tramways Union Secretary Kevin O’Sullivan says the strike, which resulted in around half of Tranzit’s Transurban drivers withdrawing their labour, should never have happened. “Right from the start of this process, before the new contractor was appointed, we’ve been telling the regional council to protect drivers’ terms and conditions. We have been warning of industrial action for months.

“We have a straightforward claim for people who work at Tranzit’s Tranzurban operations to have the same terms and conditions as those working at NZ Bus’ Wellington operations. Same job, same council, same deal is a fair claim and it’s one we asked the regional council to make a bottom line in their tendering process right at the start. They didn’t listen.

“If we can’t settle this we may be forced to take more industrial action, we don’t want to create difficulties for Wellington commuters, but the huge public support we’ve had shows they know what’s happening here and they’re on our side.”

During the course of the strike action around 120 services in the Wellington region were cancelled.

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