The Tramways Union advised GO Wellington on Monday, 22 September that it intended to take industrial strike action during the peak morning commuter period, between the hours of 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 intends to take additional industrial strike action during the peak afternoon commuter period, between the hours of 4.30pm and 5.30pm starting Thursday, 25 September, and continuing until further notice.
Also at 3pm on Tuesday, 23 September, the Manufacturing & Construction Union provided 24 hours notice that it too would begin strike action between the hours of 3.15pm to 4.15pm from Thursday, 25 September and would refuse to refuel buses from 7am to 8am each morning.
This strike action has two implications for GO Wellington bus customers:
• services scheduled to depart during these times will not run
• widespread disruption will be created for bus travellers after the strike activity concludes as services struggle to return to normal.
“Effectively, the intention of the strike activity is to create commuter chaos,” says Bruce Kenyon, GM GO Wellington. “This is unacceptable to GO Wellington and unnecessary for our valued customers.”
“We are extremely disappointed with the Union’s move to industrial action given the previously constructive and conciliatory nature of the negotiations and our clear communication to the Union that we had put forward the company’s best possible offer.”
“Throughout today, we have been communicating with our people and with the Union to avert industrial activity,” says Mr Kenyon. “We have no desire to see strike action impact our customers.”
“We asked that the Union seriously reconsider the offer prior to taking this drastic action. Additionally, we have said that we are available to return to the negotiating table or attend mediation.”
The Union have communicated that they will not withdraw their planned strike activity.
“As a result, we regret to advise that we have provided the Union with 24 hours notice of our intention to lock them out,” says Mr Kenyon. “This is a last resort for GO Wellington, which we are now compelled to initiate, because the Union has begun strike action aimed at securing more than the best offer the company is in a position to make and to create the maximum disruption possible for our customers.”
The lock out will begin at 5.30am on Thursday, 25 September.
“This is extremely disappointing for us,” says Mr Kenyon. “We believe the place to negotiate is at the negotiating table, not through industrial activity or through the media. GO Wellington remains committed to a return to negotiation and to normal operations as soon as possible.”
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience this will cause our valued customers in Wellington and are committed to keeping them well informed so that they can make other travel arrangements during this period of disruption.”
There will be no GO Wellington bus services provided from 5.30am on Thursday, 25 September and until further notice.
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:
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.