Bus strike cancels morning trips in south Auckland

Wednesday, 27 June 2018

Some Auckland commuters will be left on the sidewalk as a strike action takes place on Thursday morning.

The strike by members of First Union will impact buses operated by Ritchies Murphy Transport.

About 67 bus trips from the south Auckland suburbs of Manurewa, Ōtara, Weymouth, Manukau, Papakura, Drury, Red Hill and Pahurehure will be impacted between 6.15am and 9.40am. 

Meanwhile, 60 to 70 bus drivers will strike at Saint Aiden's Reserve in Takinini from 7am to 9am.

**READ MORE:

* Bus strike cancels 49 trips, including airport line, in South Auckland

* Ritchies drivers join Auckland bus strikes**

The strike follows what First Union calls 'an incredibly frustrating series of failed negotiations over pay and work conditions.

'The company is paying over $1.50 per hour less than the market rate so drivers have to work six days to get 40 hours of work for the week,' First Union transport organiser Graham McKean said. 

'Bus drivers work long hours with some of the nastiest timed shifts in any industry that barely leaves them time to sleep, let alone relax, and it's a skilled job that requires a whole lot of responsibility.' 

There were two types of shifts drivers could be working – drivers could work 10 to 11 hours with one- to two-hour unpaid breaks in the middle, or a 13 to 14 hour shift with a three- to four-hour unpaid break.

'If you're working the 14 hours away from home, minus eight hours sleep, that's barely enough time to eat and travel either side of these shifts,' McKean said.

'This is not by choice. This is because pay rates are abysmal compared to the responsibility, skill and experience required.'

In a statement, Auckland Transport (AT) said less than one per cent of trips would be affected by the strikes.

School buses, trains and ferries would not be affected, AT said. 

Full details of Thursday's cancelled services can be found here.