Stuff speaks to bus commuters about Friday s bus strike.
Transport Minister Michael Wood is strongly urging NZ Bus to withdraw its indefinite lock out of striking bus drivers. The Tramsways Union, which represents the bus drivers, announced it would launch a 24-hour strike from 4am on Friday after pay negotiations with the company broke down earlier this year. But with the decision by NZ Bus to lock out its striking drivers – Wellington s bus shutdown could last for much longer than one day. On Thursday afternoon, NZ Bus told its drivers, it would lock employees out of its depots until the proposed collective agreement was signed. In a statement, NZ Bus chief executive Jay Zmijewski said it had been left with “no option but to issue the lockout notice “in response to the strike action, the disruption we have been experiencing, and the threat of further ‘surprise attack strikes’ by the union”.
Live updates
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for April 22, bringing you the latest news updated throughout the day. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz
1.10pm: More close contacts of Covid-positive airport worker discovered
The number of close contacts of a border worker who tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday has now increased to 31.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said this is because the person worked three shifts during their infectious period alongside “a number of colleagues”. Public health officials have now identified 22 colleagues as close contacts, up from 17 yesterday.
Of the 31 close contacts, 14 have returned negative test results to date – meaning an additional 17 are yet to test negative.
Press Release – Council of Trade Unions The Council of Trade Unions is shocked and appalled by the behaviour of NZ Bus, owned by Next Capital, which has today issued lock-out notices to Wellington Bus drivers for an indefinite period. CTU President Richard Wagstaff said, “this …
The Council of Trade Unions is shocked and appalled by the behaviour of NZ Bus, owned by Next Capital, which has today issued lock-out notices to Wellington Bus drivers for an indefinite period. CTU President Richard Wagstaff said, “this is a direct attack on our bus drivers in an attempt to cut their pay and conditions of employment.”
Thursday, 22 April 2021, 5:22 pm
The Council of Trade Unions is shocked and appalled by
the behaviour of NZ Bus, owned by Next Capital, which has
today issued lock-out notices to Wellington Bus drivers for
an indefinite period. CTU President Richard Wagstaff said, this is a direct attack on our bus drivers in an attempt to
cut their pay and conditions of employment. This is
a situation where a big Aussie venture capital company is
trying bludgeon a vulnerable workforce into submission with
an indefinite lock-out. These tactics have no place in New
Zealand and commuters who rely on these drivers will be
CTU, council slam appalling tactics from NZ Bus in locking out striking Wellington bus drivers
22 Apr, 2021 07:15 PM
5 minutes to read
Wellington bus driver Mike Greer. Photo / Nick James
NZ Herald
By: Wellington reporters
Wellington bus drivers are standing resolute against a deeply frustrating lockout notice issued by NZ Bus following their planned strike action today.
Following the Tramways Union s announcement that Wellington bus drivers would strike for 24 hours from 4am Friday, NZ Bus issued an indefinite lockout notice.
This would effectively bar striking bus drivers from returning to work after the planned strike was complete.
Around 50 bus drivers and supporters gathered at Kilbirnie Depot on Friday morning.