Bus drivers warn of looming bus dispute

One of the unions representing Auckland’s bus drivers is calling on Auckland Transport to “pull it’s bus operators into line” in order to avoid disruptions to public transport.

Several disputes between bus drivers and their employers are looming after drivers voted to take industrial action at a number of major companies providing bus services in the city.

The warning follows industrial action by Auckland train drivers which caused significant disruption to the city’s public transport network.

"The new tendering system has failed Auckland’s public transport passengers,” said Bus Drivers First spokesperson Graham McKean.

“Bus driver’s incomes are going down and they are saying enough is enough.”

The union has been campaigning for an end to the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) that favours low paying bus operators. Under the model Auckland Transport awards public bus contracts to private providers offering the lowest fee, meaning in practice the private providers paying the lowest wages.

"We want to avoid further disruption to Auckland’s public transport passengers if we can, but this situation has been going on for months,” said McKean.

“Unless we start to see a real improvement from bus companies our members are left with little choice”.

ENDS

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