Wednesday, 24 September 4.30pm
No GO Wellington Bus Services
Thursday, 25 September
until further notice
Wednesday’s strike action taken by the Tramways and M&C Union created chaos for Wellington’s travelling public. Bus services scheduled to depart during periods of strike activity did not run. Widespread disruption was created for all travelers as bus services struggled to return to normal.
In response to today’s strike and notification of increasing and accelerating industrial activity targeting the evening peak commuter period, GO Wellington issued a notice of lock out which will impact all services and take effect from Thursday, 25 September.
There will be no GO Wellington bus services from Thursday, 25 September until further notice.
“Providing the Unions with a notice of lockout was not an action we took lightly,” says Mr Kenyon, General Manager GO Wellington. “This is a last resort for GO Wellington and comes after the Unions began strike action designed to create the maximum disruption possible for our customers.”
“The suspension of services provides some certainty to our customers in the face of major disruption,” says Mr Kenyon.
“We are extremely disappointed with the Union’s move to industrial action given the previously constructive and conciliatory nature of the negotiations. Over the past two days, we have continued to communicate with the Unions to try and avert industrial activity,” says Mr Kenyon. “We have no desire to see strike action impact our customers.”
The Union’s have said they will not withdraw their planned strike activity.
“We remain committed to resolving this situation as soon as possible,” concludes Mr Kenyon.
Valley Flyer, Runcimans, Newlands Coach Services, Mana Coach Services, Tranz Metro and Wellington Cable Car services are unaffected and will continue to operate as normal.
-ends-
For more information, please contact:
Siobhan O’Donovan, Communications Manager
021 840 839
Additional background information:
Escalation of industrial activity:
The Tramways Union advised GO Wellington on Monday, 22 September that it intended to take industrial action during the peak morning commuter period, between 7.30am to 8.30am, starting Wednesday, 24 September and continuing until further notice.
In addition, at 3pm on Tuesday, 23 September, the Tramways Union provided 24 hours notice it intended to take additional industrial action during the peak afternoon commuter period, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm, starting Thursday, 25 September, and continuing until further notice.
Also at 3pm on Tuesday, 23 September, the Manufacturing and Construction Union provided 24 hours notice that it too would begin strike action, between 3.15pm to 4.15pm, from Thursday, 25 September and would refuse to refuel buses from 7am to 8am each morning.
The offer:
GO Wellington has been participating for three months in negotiations to enter into a Collective Employment Agreement (CEA) with the Tramways and the M&C Union.
GO Wellington’s offer (provisionally agreed by the Union negotiating team and taken to the Union meeting for ratification) included a 7 per cent pay increase in the first year and 3.25 per cent for the next 10 months, with a gross cash payment of $250, was Go Wellingtons best and final offer.
• It was well above the cost of living, which is sitting at 4 per cent.
• It was well above the average 3.5 per cent settlements reached by other industries undertaking collective employment agreement negotiations in New Zealand today.
Average length of tenure:
• The average length of service for a Go Wellington Driver is 8.5 years.
Average income:
• The current average income for a GO Wellington Driver working an average 43 hour week is $40,564.00pa.
• After applying the 7 per cent offer to the current average wage, the income per annum would be $43,403.
• This equates to an hourly rate of $19.41 which includes penal rates and allowances.
Starting hourly rates:
• Drivers with less than 1 year’s service receive $12.72 per hour as an initial training rate. i.e. 6 per cent over the current minimum wage for adults. The company invests $10,000 in training new recruits.
• The company has offered to transition the trainees to the next rate after 3 months instead of 12 months.
• The union has declined this.
Progression through the pay scales:
• Traditionally drivers progress through the pay levels over a period of 10-15 years.
• GO Wellington has offered to reduce the number of pay scales to enable drivers to get to the top pay scale within a five year period.
• The Union has declined this.
Notice of industrial Activity:
• Under the Employment Relations Act the provision of public transport is not considered to be an essential service. Therefore, there is no facility to be able to give customers 14 days notice of industrial action.