Waikato bus drivers walking off the job to protest poor pay and conditions

August 14, 2018

About 120 bus drivers from Hamilton, Otorohanga and Te Awamutu will strike today to protests low pay and bad conditions.

The drivers - members of FIRST Union - will picket outside the Hamilton Transport Centre this morning and this afternoon.

Union organiser Jax Oldham said "while Auckland drivers are forced to be away from home for 14 hours a day due to low pay, Waikato bus drivers often either have to constantly fight for more hours or be partially retired.

"From passengers sitting in the dark and cold due to failed lighting and air-con units stuck on freezing, to drivers having to fit into steering and seat configurations that cause pain over long periods of driving - it's a mess," Mr Oldham said.

"Our members are well aware that they can refuse to drive an unsafe vehicle ... it has almost become standard for managers to hold back buses that members refuse to drive, for non-members who will drive whatever bus they are allocated.

"These drivers are afraid that their refusal to carry out their duties as their manager asks will have an impact on their job security and most just want to avoid workplace conflict."

Go Bus Director of Engineering Terry Campbell has said he is disappointed the union chose to question the skill and work ethic of his engineering team to justify the strike.

The strike is likely to affect some services and public transport users are asked to check busit.co.nz to confirm their trip route.

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