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Govt failing to avert capital chaos as strike looms

Workplace Relations and Safety

Scott Simpson - Workplace Relations and Safety

27 September 2018

The Government is sitting on its hands over Wellington’s shambolic bus services when it should be stepping in to prevent a strike that would inflict further disruptions on the capital’s workers, National’s Workplace Relations and Safety spokesperson Scott Simpson says.

“Wellingtonians are rightfully angry and exasperated at the disruptions to their daily travel since the capital’s bus services were reorganised. It’s not good enough for the Government to try to shrug off the problems as someone else’s issue.

“The Government should be using its influence with the trade union movement to prevent further chaos in Wellington but it appears to have washed its hands. The Workplace Relations and Safety Minister is missing in action and the Transport Minister seems to be saying he has done all he can.

“The Government’s planned reforms to employment relations law are a massive sop to the unions and will hurt New Zealand’s economic growth. We can only hope there is a quid pro quo that the unions agree not to inflict further damage or inconvenience to long-suffering Wellington commuters.

“The Tramways Union has given notice of an indefinite strike starting on Oct. 23 in support of their collective employment agreements. It will be betting local authorities and the Government have no stomach for having to explain how it let a shambles get worse.

“Phil Twyford has been content to accept reassurances from the Wellington Regional Council that the bus service was fit for purpose even though the NZ Transport Agency also has an audit role. It’s not good enough for him to now say he’s disappointed and leave it to a select committee to try to prosecute the issues.

“The situation in Wellington is typical of this Government’s propensity to allow chaos to unfold on its watch. Once again it seems to be a case of the wheels on the bus definitely not going round and round.”

ends

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