Union says bus drivers should be paid more
A union says a shortage of bus drivers in the Bay is due to wages being too low.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council said yesterday a public transport driver shortage had forced bus operator Go Bus to bring in staff from other regions.
But First Union General Secretary Dennis Maga says there is a “wage crisis” in the bus sector “and this is why no drivers are attracted to the job”.
“We have bus drivers who’re worried about how they’re going to pay for the next power bill despite the fact they’re working a 40-hour work week or more. No one should be working a full-time week and not be able to pay the bills!”
Mr Maga blames the problem on the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) which he says needs to be abolished.
“Its competitive tendering model has resulted in tired, over-worked and underpaid bus drivers," he says.
"We need a system in place that doesn’t reward bus companies on cheap prices alone, we need a tendering system that takes into account both the need for an efficient service and the need for decent pay so drivers can lead a decent life.”
