WRC recommends local dialogue over school bus driver’s workplace dispute

The WRC found no merit in a school bus driver’s workplace dispute concerning alleged bullying, harassment and operational disagreements. The recommendation was dated 30 January 2026. The worker said he faced criticism over bus malfunctions and described verbal abuse by a stranger in the employer’s yard on 20 December 2024. The transport business rejected his claims, disputed his account of the incident and said he had not reported it or used the grievance procedure. The adjudication officer found the yard incident post-dated the referral, the disagreements did not amount to a dispute under the Industrial Relations Act, and the worker had not exhausted internal procedures. The officer said the dispute was worthy of local resolution through dialogue.