Get behind the locked-out bus drivers
Aucklanders should get fair square behind the locked-out bus drivers.
These low-paid workers have had a sledgehammer taken to them by a self-serving corporation which puts profits before people.
The corporation is Infratil, which owns NZ Bus, the Auckland-based company which has a virtual monopoly on bus services around Auckland and which is using its corporate power to starve these drivers back to work on the company's terms.
The union announced last week its members would begin a work-to-rule whereby drivers would not drive faulty buses or buses without radio telephones and wouldn't break the speed limit to meet tight schedules. (The radio telephones have become an issue recently after a driver was badly bashed and only saved from more serious injury by a group of school students who intervened and drove off the attacker.)
The company responded to the work-to-rule with a lockout which means the workers have no income and Auckland commuters have no transport.
Despite this, Infratil ise trying to convince the public that the drivers are on strike. It wants an angry public to blame the drivers for traffic chaos when it is its own arrogant action which has stopped the buses.
Aucklanders should let Infratil know we don't like their high-handed bullying. A donation to the lockout fund for these low-paid workers would also be welcomed by the families.
Infratil did the same thing to Wellington drivers last year when its subsidiary Go Wellington locked out the drivers who were agitating for a better deal. That lockout was lifted after just one day when the people of Wellington got behind the drivers - come on Auckland, we can do the same!
Greedy corporations like Infratil need the clearest message that their abuse of low-paid workers will not be tolerated.
I attended Fridays' protest by locked-out workers in downtown Auckland and these drivers have not just been given a raw deal by the company but they have been losing ground for decades.
A driver of 30 years' experience told how in 1982 he was earning $7 an hour ,which at the time was the median wage. By June last year the median wage had risen to $18.70 while he is earning just $16 an hour. That's a drop of almost 16%. However, the purchasing power of his pay packet today is still lower because if the median wage had kept pace with inflation it would now be $21.66. After adjustment for inflation these bus drivers are earning 35% less than they were in 1982.
Infratil hasn't shown much concern for public opinion to date because it has little to lose. It runs a virtual monopoly on most routes and has a cosy deal in subsidies from the Auckland Regional Council. Infratil keeps all the profits from the profitable routes and then gets a subsidy on the routes where it can't make a profit. And the subsidy is huge - $94 million per year. Just another example of the private sector milking the public purse. It's a win-win for Infratil and a lose-lose for Aucklanders.
Infratil's website says it all. The corporation declares "Infratil's primary goal is to provide its shareholders with a consistent return of 20% per annum over the long term."
Come on Aucklanders - let them know we don't like money-hungry corporations which put profits ahead of people.
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I'm with you John, get the 94 million dollar subsidy on loss making routes pulled. The saving from the resulting redundancies (drivers on unprofitable routes) can be used to meet the remaining drivers "requests" for higher wages - problem solved. Somehow though I think you still would not be happy.
It puzzles me why 'working to rule' is regarded as industrial action. Should the drivers not be working to rule 365 days a year? Is it normal for mechanically defective buses to be taken out? Is breaking the speed limit to make up time normally acceptable?
On the basis of the information that has come out from both sides my sympathies lie entirely with the drivers. On the available facts the actions of the bus company appear to be heavy handed with the single aim of starving the workforce into submission.
Ben #3: Working-to-rule is technically a go-slow tactic of sorts.
And good to see the ARC's Mike Lee cracking the whip.
Instead of the $94 million of subsidies going to the bus companies, it should be spent on buying ALL the bus drivers a minibus and fuel for a year.
Then let them loose to create bus routes that suits their clientel.
Free up the monopoly, let the workers own the means of production, and let the market decide which route is profitable for the "workers".
Simple really. For a one of cost of a years subsidy, we have a free market and no regulation (save for COF on vehicles and compliance with the road code). And the workers own the means of production.
A Win cubed situation. John would be totally in favour of that arrangement.
No corporate creed, happy workers and a free market to boot.
John, using figures from 1982 to determine median wage and then comparing it to figures today and saying that the drivers have lost 16% is rubbish... the median wage has increased due to the fact that more workers are office/technology based now, and 'manual' work, such as factories or driving buses is slipping... I'm sure that Blacksmiths used to make more than the median wage too, but these days I doubt that there are many full-time blacksmiths who are earning the median wage.
I know a huge number of people who didn't get inflation adjustments to their pays and haven't for years... that's just the way things are - but I don't expect you to live in the real world John. As for saying that we should focus on the people rather than profits, I'm sure the shareholders would just happily give their money away and not want a return...
Grant #2 Totally agree. The vast majority of public transport is actually subsidised by the ratepayers and taxpayers. Perhaps if public transport had to stand on it's own two (4 wheels?) feet then people could see it for the charade that it is.
Judging by the lack off extra traffic on the road this morning perhaps commutors have found alternative modes of transport other than cars and those buses they normally catch. Maybe thats more of a risk to the "locked out" drivers livelyhood than the lack of pay?
I work for a large international corporation and am paid in a foreign currency. Despite my salary taking a dive due to the exchange rate, I do not blame my company for freezing our pay this year. Times are tough. The bus drivers were offered a pay rise which, compared to most workers at the moment, is generous. The dispute does not appear to be over the amount of the pay rise, but rather when it is going to kick in. Accept it, get over it, move on and count yourselves lucky you're getting a raise at all. It seems to me that the unions will not accept the offer on principle. Fair enough, the company should have the subsidy frozen during the lock-out, but this will be factored into it. Quite rightly the company aims to make a profit. 20% is possibly a bit ambitious in the current environment, but it must try its hardest. I applaud them for standing up to the unions. Minto won't be happy until no private companies exist and everyone works for the people on the same wage. This is the real world. Deal with it! P.S. Glad I don't have to catch a bus...
As someone getting paid by the tax payer Mr Minto, being a teacher, how does your salary compare to 1982?....I think your salary would have gone up rather nicely John, and in your utopia of state control, I'll assume you wish the bus drivers, shelf packers, factory workers etc etc wage packets to come up to your level and you not to go down to theirs?...after all what is 4yrs of Uni fees and studying hard to become a teacher, when you can just leave school at 15-16 and work in a local supermarket for the same money as a teacher....doesn't quite work out does it John?
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Hp hum, Minto on the crusade again. Yes, Infratil is only looking after their shareholders. Funnily enough, all companies generally care for their owners and shareholders first. This is not news.
It is sad that the bus drivers have gone backwards in terms of salary. That is unfortunate, but life can be unfair sometimes. What I find appalling, is that the UNIONS in this case are pushing for increases while the cues at the Dole are going upwards, thanks to rising unemployment. Most employees in the country are not getting an increase, thanks to the economy, and grateful to have a job. The UNION in this case is trying to appeal to our softer sides.
As someone personally affected by the crisis, I would love to care, but frankly, think that they are greedy.