It is with deep regret that staff and management of GO Wellington, and NZ Bus, learned of the death today of Phil Griffiths, the Secretary of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Tramways and Public Passenger Transport Authorities Employees’ Industrial Union of Workers.
Mr. Griffiths has had a long history of involvement with the Wellington based Public Transport operators, Wellington City Transport Limited trading as GO Wellington and Cityline Hutt Valley trading as Valley Flyer as well as other companies in the Wellington area.
Mr. Griffiths commenced employment with Wellington City Transport in the early 1980s’ as a bus driver, and was, according to Gary Froggatt (the Union’s Auckland Branch President), a member of the Union’s National Council since 1986, becoming the Wellington Branch Secretary in 1988. He has represented the issues of his members continually since then.
Mr. Griffiths will be sorely missed by his members and as a mark of respect to the unique contribution that he made to the industry overall GO Wellington management have proposed a pause in the current Employment Agreement negotiations to allow all members time to reflect on and come to terms with his passing.
We are shocked and saddened by the news of Phil’s sudden passing , whilst from time to time there were quite natural points of difference the organization and people within it had a high level of respect for Phil’s knowledge and valued his passionate explanations on historical reasons behind events.
Phil’s dogmatic approach often was the key to allowing the business and people within it to move forward on a number of difficult issues.
He will be missed by all.
Zane Fulljames
General Manager – Southern Region