The why, who and how of

Being Union
…and what this means for drivers

New Zealand Tramways Union

The New Zealand Tramways and Public Passenger Transport Employees Union was
founded in 1903. It was founded to represent Tramway employees. The Tramways Union
also represented Council bus drivers in the areas where these services ran in conjunction with
Tram services. Since the 1950s and 60s Trams were replaced by both Trolley and Diesel
buses and today this is who the New Zealand Tramways Union represent. The Tramways
Union has branches in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. The Tramways Union is affiliated
to the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and the Wellington branch has an affiliation with the
Manufacturing and Construction Workers Union.

Our Union’s Mission Statement

To uphold and improve the collective rights of drivers-to ensure better and fairer pay, hours
of work, employment security and a fairer, better working life.

Why do we have unions?

Unions exist for workers to support each other so that they don’t have to face a problem, or
negotiate improvements to their working conditions, on their own.  When workers act
together they have strength and safety in numbers and have a better chance of getting what
they need at work and beyond.
Unions are democratically run by their members.  Union members elect union representatives
(delegates, president, vice president & secretary) from workplaces, and make decisions on
things like how the union is run, and what to focus on when negotiating with the employer.
Through the NZ Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, unions work co-operatively
with each other to improve the position of all New Zealand workers. The benefits most
workers receive today are largely the result of the 120+ Unions that help over 350,000 of us
employees to attain the standard of living we know today in terms of wages, benefits and
working conditions that have been negotiated over the past 120 years.

Your right to be a union member

Everyone has the right to decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity,
security and human dignity. Unions ensure that, as a worker, your voice is heard, your views
are respected and your rights under the law are upheld.
What will our union do for you?

A union is an organisation that supports employees in the workplace by acting as an advocate

for them collectively (and with the consent of the employee, individually). Unions bargain for
collective employment agreements with employers and help employees with information and
advice about work-related issues. You have to pay a fee to be a union member.

Here's what working people together in union have won:

Weekends, Paid Sick Leave, Annual Leave, Accident Compensation, Public Holidays, Right
to Collective Bargaining, Holiday Pay, Health & Safety, Minimum Wage, Superannuation,
Equal Pay, Living Wage, Protection from Discrimination, Employment Laws, Redundancy
Pay, Eight Hour Work Day, No Zero Hour Contracts, Paid Parental Leave, Rest breaks,
Personal Privacy Rights.

Unions have always played a big role in maintaining and improving pay and conditions of
work – as well as improving employment security, training, accident compensation and
retirement benefits. Joining together in union means we can all continue to work for a
better working life in New Zealand.

Why do we need to get organised and be union?

We want to build drivers’ power on the job so that: We have a genuine say, genuine input,
into what happens at work for us. We are better at solving drivers’ problems and disputes
with management. We can win a fair Collective Agreement with bus companies that sets
good pay and work conditions for drivers. We can deal with key industry issues that impact
on drivers. For example, we lobby central government for better industry standards for
drivers relating to our pay, hours of work and health and safety.

Who is our union?

Members are our Union. Members are always the driving force to how we win at work.
Only members can build real bargaining power.

How do we get organised?

The Role of Your Union Official (Secretary): To build a union profile on the job with
drivers. Supporting, resourcing and empowering delegates to be good problem solvers at
work. Facilitate the process of collective bargaining - including gathering claims, building a
negotiating team and advocating at the collective negotiations. Provide guidance, advice and
where needed ‘advocacy’ to advance the collective rights of drivers on and off the job.

What’s the union delegate’s role?

Your union delegate is an ‘on-the-job’ recruiter and organiser of drivers. They provide on-
the-job assistance to help deal with issues (problems) as they arise. They help fellow drivers
learn more, and be educated about, the issues they face. They are a problem solver. They are
a key link between drivers and management, supporting and advocating on behalf of drivers.
What role do union members play?
To elect and support the union executive, delegates and health and safety reps. Participate in
union activities on the job and show that being union is about being part of a team. Talk to
non-union drivers about supporting our Union and positively encourage non-union drivers to
join our Union. Members can help build drivers’ power and voice on the job so everyone can
win a fair deal.

How do I join our union here at my bus company?

For more information, application forms are available from your depot delegates.

What’s happening with our collective agreement negotiations?

Your Depot Delegates will keep you up to date with negotiations as they come to hand. Your
delegates will inform you as to when bargaining for a new agreement will commence, update
you on progress and tell you about the ratification process if a settlement is close. Any other
information regarding our Collective Employment Agreement your delegate will be happy to
answer.

AIL New Zealand Ltd-Union-organised company serving families since

1995
The New Zealand Tramways Union now provides an Accidental Death and
Dismemberment Benefit for every member at no cost and no obligation. This benefit
provides $1,500 coverage for each member plus $500 cover on the member’s spouse and
children under 19 years of age.
In addition to this we are also able to offer an extra $10,000 Accidental Death Benefit
for just $2.00 for the first year. This optional extra is guaranteed renewable every year
thereafter for just $5.00 per year.

For more information on how you can receive this offer see your depot
delegate.

Frequently Ask Questions about unions

The union has never done anything for me in the past: Unions have never
stopped fighting for workers’ wages and conditions – that’s what we do. At the end of the
day only one organisation exists to improve drivers’ wages – your union. Together we can
do it.

I’ll get what you get anyway: Sure, some people on individual agreements end up
getting what union members have negotiated. When you stick your neck out to win
improvements for everyone it’s important to have as much bargaining power as possible –
every single member counts. Also it’s only fair that if you get the benefits you should help
pay for them.
It’ll cost too much: It really pays to belong and stand together. Many drivers see our
union as a very good investment because they get real benefits that flow from the power of
collective bargaining - good pay and conditions, as well as free legal protection from
unfair treatment and having a strong voice in workplace issues like health and safety. All
for cost of a cup of coffee a week!

The union sold us out at the last place: Remember, a union is its members.
Sometimes, workers find themselves in very tough times (like facing restructuring, cut-
backs, closures etc.) Unions fight for the best deal for workers and at the end of the day if
it involves employment agreements – members will always vote on a proposal before
anything happens.

The company have been good to me: Joining our union is not necessarily about
having a bad boss. Many employees see that joining the union as a way of working even
better with their employer- like joint productivity arrangements where we work together to
build value in the company and work towards better pay and conditions.

Summary
Our Union is not some outside ‘third party’ organisation. Drivers who work for our company
are our union. Being union is not about being ‘anti’ our employer. We are about drivers
sticking and working together for a fair deal. Our strength is not measured by any one
individual, but by the commitment of every driver to our collective goals and aspirations.

Get On-Board – Contact the Tramways Union and join

now.
Email: tramwaysunion@tradeshall.org.nz
Phone: Kevin O’Sullivan 027 440-0384 or 384-5403
Or contact your depot delegate