The Wellington Bus strike and what it meant for students

Students in the outer suburbs might’ve noticed that 26 bus services weren’t running Friday 23 and Saturday 24 April. The reason for this was an organised strike by drivers and union members, asking for living wage and better conditions. 

During the strike, Massive spoke to Anne Reedy, Wellington Tramways Union President. She described Next Capital, the Australian Company that owns these services, as “very difficult to deal with”. In response to the strike, Next Capital locked out drivers until they agreed to sign a new employment agreement. One that involved decreasing holidays by one week, cancelling weekend penalty rates and 10-12 hour shifts on the weekends. “There is no family time in that,” Reedy stated. 

Sunny, driver for the number 3 – one of the cancelled services – believed providing transport to Wellington and secure employment to drivers wasn’t a priority to Next Capital. “They’re not really providing a service, they’re just trying to get the profit,” Sunny stated. 

Next Capital’s lockout was described as “bullying tactics” by Melissa Ansell-Bridges, Secretary for the Council of Trade Unions. On 24 April, the Employment Court agreed and ruled the lockout as unlawful. Drivers returned to work the following day.

Massive spoke to Wellington students about how they felt about the situation. Communications student, Nicola Seto, had a positive outlook, “I feel like the strike affected everything, so it’s a good way to do it. It makes people realise busses are a vital part of Wellington.” 

Third-year student Ainsley, who lives in Karori, was “incredibly disrupted” by the lack of transport. But still 100% supports the strike. “Bus drivers are the best,” she added. 

Student Phoebe Stockett echoed this sentiment. “If they’re the reason students can get to university, then they should be paid accordingly.” 

Although busses are running again, drivers continue to work under poor conditions, some paid as little as $19.40 an hour. Negotiations between drivers, Council of Trade Unions and Next Capital will continue, with the possibility of another strike to come.