Were bus drivers right to turn down the new pay offer?

Updated: 10:50AM Tuesday November 17, 2009

Auckland bus drivers turned their back on a $500 sweetener from the region's public transport agency when they rejected advice from union leaders yesterday to accept a new company pay offer.

Emotions ran high at Alexandra Park racecourse after about 55 per cent of almost 650 drivers and cleaners voted by secret ballot to reject the offer from Infratil subsidiary NZ Bus of pay rises amounting to $2 an hour by the final stage of a three-year deal.

That would have lifted the top hourly wage for drivers with nine months' service or more to $17.45 now, $18.15 next year, and $18.75 in February 2012.

Do you think bus drivers were right to turn down the new pay offer?

275 and proud (Mangere East)
Tuesday November 17, 2009 spot on rico t you have my support, as for Kiwi Saver of Epsom, you must be a fan of perk busting Hide and his girlfriend ?

Lets face up to it, a weight limit is discriminatory, and any fatso remarks is baseless and senseless.

How many great fatsos in history would have been scarred if we placed a weight clause?

Winstoin Churchill, David Lange, Bill Clinton, Helmut Kohl

mind you it would be great to gety rid of surplus to requirements :

Rodney Hide, Joh B alkie Petersen, Hone Hawawira

AndyB (Auckland)
Friday November 13, 2009 When the council stepped up and said they would not renew the bus company's contract the bus company (albeit among grumblings) came straight to the table with a (seemingly) better offer for the drivers.

This playing around and feigning shows us that the company is not really serious about its workers.

It's only trying to minimally placate drivers, and the the public, so it can keep its lucrative contract.

Chris Laing (Howick)
Thursday November 12, 2009 In response to the article published in the New Zealand herald 'Bus Company seeks ban on heavyweight drivers', on Saturday the 7/11/2009.

The YMCA of Auckland Inc would like to extend an invitation to the NZ bus services. We the YMCA believe that our service as a community health and fitness provider would greatly benefit the bus drivers of Auckland.

We have 8 fitness clubs throughout Auckland and one in Hamilton, which offer a range of services such as group exercise classes, personal training, boot camps, sports leagues, stadium sports and swimming facilities, all set in a non-threatening and supportive community environment.

The YMCA would be happy to conduct specialist health days at a time and place that would suit NZ bus services. We are also willing to offer Auckland bus driver's packages that will suit their individual requirements, which allow bus drivers to visit any of our 9 sites across Auckland.

YMCA truly believes that health and fitness are such an important part of everyone's lives, and we are more than willing to work hand in hand with NZ bus service to support and provide affordable fitness options for Auckland's Bus Drivers.

rico t (Mangere)
Wednesday November 11, 2009 I can't stand reading comment's from these passive looser's you have nothing better to say but refer to the recession. Wake up you obidiant dingbat's, it's a depression and secondly, these drivers should not accept this pay offer. Why? Because it ain't the going rate for the type of work, and the worker's are entitled a share in the company profit's which is evident.

After all, it's the driver's who are upselling infratil's ticket's while on the run not to mention collecting their revenue. How did this depression/recession come about in the first place?

It's because of these greedy capitalist's beating down the average joe. Some POWER fearing people which is plain to see on this forum, live life without putting up a fight regardless of the circumstances life may hurl at them, and some say enough is enough and get on the right side of history and take the good fight to those who choose to exploit them.

I have friend's who haven't asked their bosses for a rise because they feel for their boss or they have a close relationship with the boss (dingbat's). Mark my word's " Good on these men and women for fighting the good fight ". What have you got to lose? LIFE! Exactly my point.

'thats life' (Waitakere)
Tuesday November 10, 2009 For year ended 31/03/09 Infratil's Consolidated Earnings were $356 million up 13% from $316 Million for the previous year(Company Report) Congratulations Infratil.

'Infratil's businesses are performing well and total operating income is expected to Increase this year.In the current market it is gratifying to be able to forecast improving earnings and growth.'-as reported by Company Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
'A shareholder with $100 invested as at 1st April 1994 would have had a holding worth $1200 as at 31st March 2009'- as in company report.

QUESTION - An employee of Infratil who started at 1st April 1994 - How much increment/pay rise have you received to today?

As a Business - it's aim/objective is to maximize profits first.Management will always try to get the best deal for company without sacrificing 'performance bonuses'.

Employees will try to get the best deal too BUT how long will the cord stretch? When it burst who wins? Balance folks Balance. Don't agree? Let's do the high wire act then.

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