Tauranga bus drivers are pushing for a pay increase to the living wage – and want the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to help.
Spokesperson for the local Go Bus drivers Allan Mathews presented a petition to councillors at a public meeting on Tuesday morning.
'Go Bus drivers enjoy an enormous capital of good will. Unfortunately, that's the only capital we enjoy,” says Allan.
'An eight-hour day with payment of $17.10 gross per hour would leave the average person with nothing at week's end, except the very tempting and particularly evil blandishments of the pay-day loan sharks.”
The issue, says Allan, is P-TOM – a contract developed by central government to help stabilise the budgets of councils and bus operators, but which makes wages one of the few negotiable terms when rival contractors are competing.
'I understand when Go Bus took over the contract in 2008, the drivers' pay was decreased by as much as 13.5 per cent – from up to $16.30 down to $14.27 per hour. I can only imagine the uproar if council workers came to work one day to find their salaries cut by that amount.”
An incentive scheme for bus drivers – essentially ‘performance pay' – has been mooted by regional council staff as a way of lifting the wages of some drivers.
Council transport policy manager Garry Maloney says there are several regional councils around the country with specific mechanisms to measure and reward great customer service by their contractors.
'At this week's regional council meeting staff recommended the council make financial provision to reward for great customer service. Council has agreed and asked staff to report back to it detailing what those mechanisms are and how they would work. It is intended that report will be made to the November public transport committee meeting.”
However, First Union representative Louisa Jones, who attended Tuesday's meeting, says performance pay doesn't work, because it still leaves people behind.
'It won't satisfy the need for all bus drivers to put food on the table, or go to the dentist, or buy a simple birthday present.”
8 comments
Shameful
Posted on 27-09-2017 11:49 | By overit
Give bus drivers a decent living wage. They have a very responsible job.
Bus drivers should be paid better
Posted on 27-09-2017 12:56 | By Kancho
I think bus drivers have a difficult job and are underpaid for what they do. Traffic is getting worse driver's less courteous making the responsibility of driving a bus hard. This responsibility is definitely underpaid I certainly wouldn't like to do what is a skilled job for at least a living wage. Generally they are a helpful and polite bunch of people. I doubt that I could be so contending with impolite customers drivers or heavy traffic. So good on them for asking for more money and shame on all who would not pay them more.
Terrible.
Posted on 27-09-2017 13:14 | By waiknot
I thought in NZ we moved away from subsidies for businesses. Here is a blatant example of low wage workers being forced to subsidise their boss by working for wages below a living wage.
If so responsible
Posted on 27-09-2017 13:23 | By Bop man
Why do they not stop at pedestrian crossings then when you are standing at the side of the road on one.........
About time too
Posted on 27-09-2017 14:33 | By comfortablynumb
School bus drivers have a very responsible job to do and should be paid a decent wage for doing it, as all bus drivers do. Hope they get the wage they really deserve to reflect the importance of their job. Good luck.
BOP Man and Pedestrian Crossings
Posted on 27-09-2017 14:56 | By Murray.Guy
Drivers are underpaid and abused. When approaching a pedestrian crossing vehicles are required to slow down and be ready to stop for any pedestrians stepping onto, or on, the crossing this also includes people obviously waiting to use the crossing. In regards buses stopping I'd really encourage pedestrians to respect the fact that buses can't stop safety quickly. Unfortunately, with the passing of time, a few pedestrians (not unlike a few cyclists) seem to have developed a mindset of 'it is my right and bugger the impact on other users', resulting in some motorists resenting the law that gives pedestrians right of way. We've all been surprised and frustrated with the pedestrian that chooses not to pause before crossing, look or acknowledge a long queue of cars. Cameron Rd, Greerton shopping crossing has to be one of the most frustrating for inconsiderate crossing and road users.
@ comfortablynumb
Posted on 28-09-2017 01:06 | By MISS ADVENTURE
Does not everyone with a real job (not including TCC) have a 'responsble' job? I am sure that they do and so are equally on the same list for the same reason. Pay should be based on productivity. I suggest that buses pick up all passengers, that does not always happen.
Miss Aventure
Posted on 28-09-2017 10:33 | By comfortablynumb
A school bus driver $16.59 per hourPizza delivery driver $18.00 per hourWho has the most responsibility ?
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