Tensions flare between Go Bus and Council as bus lockout continues

It’s day five of the Go Bus lockout in the Waikato region. Go Bus CEO Callum Heslop has been captured on video this week, on the picket, blaming the Waikato Regional Council for the ongoing bus lockout. In a video of Mr Heslop addressing workers locked out by the operator, he is heard stating that […]

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International transport workers unite: Go Bus must end ‘pathetic’ lockout

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is calling on the New Zealand bus company Go Bus to unconditionally end its lockout of bus drivers for exercising their right to take action to demand a living wage. The drivers had voted to stop taking fare money from passengers to show that they cannot continue to live […]

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Bus commuters in Waikato ride for free as drivers call for the Living Wage

Christmas comes early for bus commuters in the Waikato this year as around 120 bus drivers will  refuse to accept payment from passengers.  Passengers will be receiving free rides on services provided by Go Bus in Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Otorohanga and Katikati from Monday (19th November) as drivers protest their abysmal wages. Drivers voted to […]

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Go Bus forces members to strike to hold meeting

Over 100 bus drivers in the Waikato region had to take strike action today in order to meet to discuss the wage negotiations.  Their employer, Go Bus, denied the drivers time away from work to meet regarding facilitated negotiations in Auckland despite the union giving plenty of notice and offering to work with the company […]

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Bus drivers strike in Waikato for the fourth time as ERA is brought in to assist talks

Over a hundred drivers in the Waikato region will once again carry out strike and picket action (for the fourth time in relation to this round of bargaining) tomorrow (Wednesday 26th September) as the Employment Relations Authority is brought in for facilitated bargaining in Auckland. The continuous strike action will take place tomorrow from 5:30am […]

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Zero accuracy in business survey on ERA changes

The Employment and Manufacturers Association and Business New Zealand have released the annual Mood of the Boardroom survey in association with the New Zealand Herald. FIRST Union is concerned about the lack of statistical rigour in the surveys. The options on the question regarding business opinion on the ERA are geared towards a negative result. […]

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Time to start caring about the wellbeing of bus drivers

The original plan to change the tendering process Auckland Council conducted with bus companies to win bus contracts looked like it would bring to the table a more efficient tendering process. When the NZTA ratified the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) in 2015 it promised an efficient and effective delivery of public transport through its […]

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Waikato bus drivers strike for the third time as GoBus requests arbitration

Over a hundred drivers in the Waikato region will once again carry out strike and picket action as the relationship with their employer Go Bus hits new lows.   The strike action will take place tomorrow for 24 hours. The picket will take place from 7:30am to 9am tomorrow (29th August) on the corner of […]

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