CLAIMS that bus drivers were intimidated into voting for strike action are being investigated.
Community Culture and Leisure Minister Graham Cregeen said he had been ‘really disturbed’ by complaints that a number of bus drivers had allegedly been subject to threats of violence and intimidation. ‘It’s of great concern to me if bullying and intimidation has been going on. I have expressed my concern to the union about this.’
Chief executive officer of the department Nick Black told iomtoday: ‘If we do obtain evidence we will refer the matter to the police.’
He insisted the motivation for revealing allegations of intimidation was not to affect the outcome of the dispute but because the department had an obligation and duty of care towards its staff.
The Unite union announced last week that its members have overwhelmingly backed strike action by 71 votes to eight in a dispute over changes to the Bus Vannin drivers’ terms and conditions including the removal of paid lunch breaks. Unite say the drivers will lose up to £3,000 in pay.
Contingency plans being put in place for the three-day stoppage taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday were unveiled the following day by the DCCL.
Buses will run to a Sunday service and Bank Holiday timetable, the steam railway will run every 90 minutes and the Manx Electric Railway every 30 minutes.
Schools will stay open on Thursday and Friday and school services will operate using a combination of buses, trains and trams. A new halt on the railway had been at School Hill, Castletown, for pupils at Castle Rushen High School. Temporary traffic lights will be installed to allow the students to cross the Castletown by-pass safely on the walk to school.
The Night Owl service will also operate as planned every night to ensure that festive partygoers can get home safely.
Mr Black said he was confident the department could operate an effective, albeit reduced, bus service throughout the strike.
As well as the bus drivers who are not Unite members, casual drivers would be used as well as a number of Public Transport managers who hold Public Passenger Vehicle licences. The department is also seeking to recruit additional casual staff who hold a valid PPV.
It is thought there are some 1,500 people in the island who hold a valid PPV licence and will therefore also already be CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked.
Mr Black said there would be a police presence at depot picket lines to ensure striking drivers behave responsibly, that drivers who wish to work can pass safely and without threat and that there is no damage to property.
‘Anyone engaging in unlawful activity will be subject to full disciplinary proceedings,’ he said.
Unite national officer for passenger transport, Bobby Morton said it strike action was a last resort and the action could still be averted if the department entered into ‘meaningful negotiations’. A further meeting is planned for today (Tuesday).
He said he could not rule out further strikes.
The department says the proposed changes will save £300,000 a year. The basic salary of the drivers is about £24,300 but paid lunches take that to about £28,000. Mr Black said a third of drivers earn an average of between £40,000 and £45,000 including overtime.
Mr Cregeen said: ‘There is no more money out there.’
Mr Black added: ‘We have not changed their pay. There is no suggestion the drivers’ rates of pay is going to change. But there is no justification to pay for a lunch break.’
Mr Black said not paying striking bus drivers will save about £10,000 each day and it was expected that the cost of the contingency measures would be no more than that figure.
He said the cost of the temporary halt built at School Hill, Castletown, was less than £5,000 and it was hoped that this money could be recouped by running a rail enthusiasts’ special when the station is finally closed.