Auckland Bus Strikes w/ Jared Abbot; 13 November 2019

Bus drivers for East Tamaki and the Airport will be taking full strike action for a twenty four hours after four AM tomorrow. This comes after employment relations reach a new low between drivers and company Go Bus. First Union representatives has stated that Go bus have cancelled regular wage bargaining, suspended drivers affiliated with the union and endangered the safety of striking workers. They have also stated that Go Bus and service provider Auckland Transport frequently “pit drivers against the public” in media releases on strike action. In response Go Bus have stated that drivers are “making students the victim” by timing the strikes alongside the exam period. The bus company also rebutted all of First Unions claims stating that they have made wage increase offers, haven’t cancelled negotiations and have not suspended anyone over the strikes. William Boyd spoke with FIRST Union Secretary for Transport, Logistics and Manufacturing, Jared Abbott about the planned strike and Go Buses unethical practices. William started off by asking why drivers are striking.

Photo Credit, NZ Herald