First Union Waikato and Living Wage Waikato are calling on the Waikato Regional Council to:
• Immediately introduce the Living Wage for council-contracted bus drivers; and
• Set a minimum standard of a Living Wage in all service contracts.
Why is this important?
A Living Wage is the income necessary to provide workers and their families with the basic necessities of life. The Living Wage enables workers to live with dignity and to participate as active citizens in society. Research has found a Living Wage enables employees to be able to spend more time with their families, feel valued, be less stressed and consequently happier and more motivated in their workplaces.
Bus drivers provide an essential public service for our communities across the Waikato. Currently, bus drivers employed by Go Bus, a council-contracted bus company, are paid below the Living Wage. The drivers love their jobs and they love serving the public, but the low wages mean that they are struggling to survive.
By signing this petition, you are sending a strong message to the Waikato Regional Council that they need to immediately lift the wages of Waikato bus drivers so they are fair and liveable.
In addition to paying council-contracted bus drivers the Living Wage, we are urging the council to set a minimum standard of a Living Wage in all council service contracts. This would mean that the Living Wage becomes a standard for council tendering contracts and procurement.
How it will be delivered
On November 12th from 9.30am, we will be presenting to the Council, at the Waikato Regional Council office, about why it is important for them to pay our bus drivers the Living Wage.
We encourage you to come (Covid-19 Alert Level permitting) and show your support for our bus drivers!
