Government to spend $61m to lift bus driver wages

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#2990319 31-Oct-2022 21:35

what a slap in the face for nurses/healthcare workers, FENZ staff, teachers, police, defence and other public sector workers some who are still on a government mandated pay freeze.

Handsomedan

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#2990490 1-Nov-2022 09:58

Jase2985:

what a slap in the face for nurses/healthcare workers, FENZ staff, teachers, police, defence and other public sector workers some who are still on a government mandated pay freeze.

They should also all be paid well, but aren't.

I can't believe that Fire and Police are paid so little to put their lives on the line every day - and don't get me started on Teachers (who don't get 6 months' paid holidays, contrary to popular belief).

The cost of living and housing has increased so much that jobs that used to be paid an OK wage for what they did, are now grossly underpaid, despite pay increases over the years (which have never kept up with inflation).

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Dratsab

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#2990530 1-Nov-2022 11:32

Take FENZ out of the equation. They're not public sector workers, they're funded through levies built into property insurance. The Government is currently reviewing the way FENZ are funded.

MikeAqua

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#2990532 1-Nov-2022 11:46

My grandfather was a public bus driver in Auckland many decades ago. He earned enough to buy an average home, support a family of four and buy a lifestyle block North of Auckland for retirement.

You wouldn't do that now on $30/hour.

Mike

Dratsab

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#2990534 1-Nov-2022 11:57

MikeAqua:

My grandfather was a public bus driver in Auckland many decades ago. He earned enough to buy an average home, support a family of four and buy a lifestyle block North of Auckland for retirement.

You wouldn't do that now on $30/hour.

Hell no. Bet he didn't face the amount of abuse and violence bus drivers do these days either.

wellygary

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#2990536 1-Nov-2022 12:00

MikeAqua:

You wouldn't do that now on $30/hour.

The unspoken background to all of this is below, if the want to open the door to migrant workers, they need to meet $29.66 from next year....

"The new median wage of NZD $29.66 an hour will be adopted into the immigration system on 27 February 2023.

All wage thresholds indexed to the median wage will also be updated. This includes the Accredited Employer Visa (AEWV), occupations covered by sector agreements, and residence visa categories. "

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/new-median-wage-to-apply-from-february-2023#:~:text=This%20is%20because%20%2427.76%20will,the%20new%20median%20of%20%2429.66.

MikeAqua

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#2990548 1-Nov-2022 12:28

Dratsab:

Hell no. Bet he didn't face the amount of abuse and violence bus drivers do these days either.

He was Glaswegian ... I pity the fool that had a go at him.

Mike

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Kookoo

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#2990886 2-Nov-2022 09:37

Jase2985:

what a slap in the face for nurses/healthcare workers, FENZ staff, teachers, police, defence and other public sector workers some who are still on a government mandated pay freeze.

I think what you're trying to say is "Good start, now let's address the other issues"

Hello, Ground!

Jase2985

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#2991227 2-Nov-2022 20:38

Kookoo:

Jase2985:

what a slap in the face for nurses/healthcare workers, FENZ staff, teachers, police, defence and other public sector workers some who are still on a government mandated pay freeze.

I think what you're trying to say is "Good start, now let's address the other issues"

no im not im saying why are they packing private businesses for pay rises and staff when the public sector is crumbling.

ezbee

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#2991236 2-Nov-2022 21:42

Jase2985:

what a slap in the face for nurses/healthcare workers, FENZ staff, teachers, police, defence and other public sector workers some who are still on a government mandated pay freeze.

Not really, I would not like to have to work split shifts.
Paid for 8 hours when you have to be available for 12 or more.
Then there is driving in traffic with responsibility for so many lives.

In my area of town at certain times the passengers are also a danger to you.
Of course cars don't give you a break and cut in or block you.
Should the worst happen its probably you that gets beaten up by the driver.

Nah I would not take on that job for double.
When I see Healthcare workers, Teachers, FENZ staff, Police ,
Defence rushing to take Bus driving jobs then I will give you your point.

Positions are available right now, they will train you, go for it ! :-)

MikeAqua

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#2991390 3-Nov-2022 09:35

ezbee:

Not really, I would not like to have to work split shifts.
Paid for 8 hours when you have to be available for 12 or more.
Then there is driving in traffic with responsibility for so many lives.

If they are expected to be available during the 4 'off' hours during their split-shift they should be paid.

When you consider the problems bus-drivers are helping to alleviate, i.e. the value of the work, bus drivers should be well paid. Simple supply and demand dictates that as well.

These drivers are shockingly underpaid. I pay 'green-as-grass' deckhands with no formal qualifications (often not even NCEA) significantly more.

Mike

wellygary

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#2991397 3-Nov-2022 09:57

MikeAqua:

These drivers are shockingly underpaid. I pay 'green-as-grass' deckhands with no formal qualifications (often not even NCEA) significantly more.

And it is all controlled by what the Government/local councils will pay in the contracts they negotiated..

I really love how comments like this 5 years ago, are totally coming back to bit organisations like the Wellington regional council

"The outcome of the tender is expected to reduce operating costs by several million dollars a year, paving the way for new public transport initiatives such as fare discounts."
https://www.gw.govt.nz/your-region/news/brand-new-buses-headed-for-wellington/

MikeAqua

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#2991519 3-Nov-2022 14:57

wellygary:

And it is all controlled by what the Government/local councils will pay in the contracts they negotiated..

Maybe we should a new law of thermodynamics

"Governments make everything worse"

Mike

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#2991632 3-Nov-2022 18:10

MikeAqua:

wellygary:

And it is all controlled by what the Government/local councils will pay in the contracts they negotiated..

Maybe we should a new law of thermodynamics

"Governments make everything worse"

Nah. It's the law of magical thinking that is the issue - "outsourcing everything to the private sector will make everything better."

Geektastic

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#2991677 3-Nov-2022 22:27

MikeAqua:

Dratsab:

Hell no. Bet he didn't face the amount of abuse and violence bus drivers do these days either.

He was Glaswegian ... I pity the fool that had a go at him.

See you laddie? See that windae o’er there? Yoor gaan oot!

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