SERVICES RUN SMOOTHLY

Tranzurban shrugged off expected union action to run all its commuter and school bus services in the Hutt Valley and Wellington without disruption on Monday.

“It was a tremendous effort. No significant issues, all services completed – I couldn’t be prouder of our team,’ says Tranzit Group managing director Paul Snelgrove.

“We always knew that Monday was going to be a big test and we were ready for it. Despite attempts by some in the Tramways Union to wreck things for Hutt commuters in particular, our team got the job done. That’s what we do and what we’ll continue doing to the best of our ability.”

Mr Snelgrove says the publicised action by 50 drivers never amounted to anything significant.

“No drivers ended up stopping work. It’s yet another example of the how Tramways Union bosses keep getting things very wrong.

“They were wrong on pay. They were wrong on conditions. Our drivers are paid and treated well. That’s why they choose to work for us and why they backed us.”

Despite the animosity shown by union bosses, Mr Snelgrove says Tranzit Group remains open to discussing a possible collective agreement for Tramways members employed by Tranzurban.

“But I’ll say again: we won’t engage with people who think scaremongering and intimidation of our team is the way to get what they want.

“The Tramways Union claims we haven’t spoken to them in six weeks and that we’re not prepared to come to the table. That’s yet another untruth. We’ve been in direct contact with their lawyers several times this month alone to try and advance things on, and we’ve got the correspondence to prove it.

“In fact, it’s Tramways that’s holding things up. While they delay things, they’re the ones punishing commuters and their own members.”

ENDS

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