THE bus drivers’ union and the politician responsible for the island’s bus service have been explaining their positions after the announcement of a further bus strike
As {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/next-bus-strike-announced-1-5301979|we reported yesterday}, a half-day stoppage, between 1pm and 6pm, will take place next Thursday (January 17).
Unite regional officer Eric Holmes told iomtoday.co.im that the aim of the half day stoppage was to reduce disruption to the public.
He said: ‘This was decided by the workforce.
‘The public were getting upset at the disruption at the time of the three day strike. This doesn’t affect the public as much.’
But he warned: ‘We will continue as long as it takes until we see some sense. The Chief Minister needs to get involved and start negotating.
‘At the moment there is no negotiation. It has got to go to arbitration.’
Unite national officer for passenger transport, Bobby Morton, warned the travelling public could be left stranded as buses will stop at 1pm on the dot, even if they have not completed their route.
He said industrial action had to be taken within 28 days of the first strike.
Mr Morton said he had ‘virtually begged’ the department to go to binding arbitration but this has been refused. He said there had been a ‘very hostile’ meeting with the department on Wednesday.
He said that the union had decided on further industrial action in February and March but was not prepared to divulge the dates.
Mr Morton said future industrial action could be mixture of one-, two-, three-day or longer stoppages.
‘We are not doing this to help the public, we are doing this to help the bus drivers,’ he added.
Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure Graham Cregeen MHK said: ‘When the original notification was given, the department was advised that drivers had voted for discontinuous action, so we knew it was possible that additional strikes could be called.
‘However, I am disappointed by the fact that the union feels another strike is justified, particularly on an exam day for many in the island’s GCSE, AS and A level students.
‘Unite the Union appear to be seeking to cause maximum disruption to the public whilst ensuring minimum damage to their members’ wages. The department learnt valuable lessons from the strike over the Christmas period and is ready to put contingency plans into place.
‘We will prioritise school services and will provide further details on revised timetables as soon as we can but hope that the public will understand that a half day strike has a major impact on the full day’s service.’
The Minister added: ‘While we were hopeful that further negotiation on some points would deliver an agreed solution, this has not yet been possible. Unite the Union appear reluctant to understand that any reduction in the savings that have now been secured by issuing new contracts have to be funded by changes to working practices.
‘The department is happy to reduce the impact of the loss of the paid lunch break on take home pay but needs to balance anything paid out with savings from improved efficiency. Finding new money is not an option. Striking will not resolve this situation; the Department cannot concede funds it does not have.’
He continued: ‘The department’s position on arbitration has been made clear to the union but appears to be equally difficult for them to accept. Like all departments, this department operates to a set budget with funding approved by Tynwald. I do not believe that the role of Tynwald should be replaced by unelected lay members in arbitration. If we went to arbitration, we may find ourselves in a position of having to accept a settlement that we cannot legally fund. That would be untenable.’
‘Following the first strike, the department has employed an increased number of qualified casual bus drivers. However, any Manx workers who hold a valid PPV and are available for work during strike periods are invited to apply to work as a casual worker with the department.
‘Anyone wishing to register an interest should contact the Office of Human Resources on ohr@gov.im or telephone 686300.’