Poor migration laws and flawed tendering process a toxic mix for bus drivers – First Union

Bus drivers could be the latest victims of poor government migration policy says Rudd Hughes, spokesperson for the Bus Drivers First section of FIRST Union.

It was reported last Friday that Go Bus, the latest winner in Auckland Transport’s ‘race to the bottom’ tendering process for bus services, had approached Immigration New Zealand about the prospect of bringing working people from the Pacific Islands into the country and offering them jobs.

“But there’s no shortage of bus drivers in Auckland,” said Hughes.

“Well-paid bus drivers, including many Pasifika workers, are about to lose their jobs. Bringing in bus drivers from overseas means Go Bus can drive down wages to a level below what experienced bus drivers in Auckland are willing to work for.”

“While we’re not against employing migrant workers, bus drivers currently doing these jobs are being pushed out of the industry because Go Bus wants to pay rates below industry standard. The question needs to be asked as to how Auckland Transport is allowed to award a company the contract based on pay rates they can’t get Auckland drivers to work for.”

The union is calling for the tendering process to include a protection of workers’ existing terms and conditions. The tendering process combined with poor migration policy is undermining working conditions in New Zealand.

“The current model drives wages down and punishes good employers while rewarding bad employers” says Hughes.