Bus Drivers: Full Review of PTOM Announced

Bus Drivers: Full Review of PTOM Announced

For Immediate release 21/05/2019

Bus drivers who are members of FIRST Union were pleased to learn today that the campaign to end the race to the bottom on wages has been a success. Today the Transport Minister has announced a full review of the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM).

FIRST Union Divisional Secretary Jared Abbott says it follows an announcement of the Living Wage as a minimum for bus drivers.
“This is a government that values public transport and public transport workers. FIRST Union is excited to participate in this review, as we have witnessed the worst and lowest paying bus operators benefit big time from PTOM while bus companies with decent working conditions missed out. Ultimately it was a race to the bottom on wages and working conditions.”

FIRST Union bus drivers are also working with bus operators and government to roll out the Living Wage commitment from this government as a minimum standard for all bus drivers.

NZ Bus driver, Phil Morgan is relieved that things are finally starting to turn around for him and his colleagues.
“So many drivers have left the industry since the introduction of PTOM we are now in a state of chronic understaffing, and the industry can’t attract new people.”

FIRST Union members have worked for three years to end PTOM through it’s Bus Fair campaign. Bus drivers have been engaged in a number of activities including petition signing, marching and several strikes.

Mr Abbott added, “Our members have been staunch through a period of heavy industrial unrest to ensure that driving jobs are good jobs and we will continue to work until that is the case”.

ENDS

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