Liberal Vannin Party leader Peter Karran has hit out against Bus Vannin management, saying the way the bus drivers have been treated has been ‘appalling’.
As the 12-day bus strike enters its fourth day, the Onchan MHK suggested that the dispute was a smokescreen and that the government was really intent on privatising the service.
His comments came after the Chief Minister said that an intervention in the dispute by Mr Karran had jeopardised a resolution.
The industrial action during TT is the longest strike the Isle of Man has seen for decades.
Mr Karran said he had spoken to many bus drivers who were ‘up in arms about the way they have been treated’.
Mr Karran renewed his call for the dispute to go into binding arbitration, which is what the Unite union has called for since the dispute began.
The DCCL has maintained that it could not agree to binding arbitration because it has to save £300,000 a year on the service and it might not be able to meet any terms under binding arbitration.
Mr Karran said: ‘Management wanted the bus strike. The real truth is this whole sad affair could have been resolved months ago.
‘I think it is just a case of privatisation of the bus service and in the long term taxpayers will get ripped off. The members [of Tynwald] are not even informed about the drivers.’
The MHK added that the ‘whole situation is a disgrace’ and that the problem is that the bus drivers are frightened to speak out about management.
Mr Karran (pictured) said the drivers expected there would be some changes but the way they had been treated was something ‘you would have expected 30 years ago’.
He said: ‘I’ve known bus drivers all my life who are not interested in politics, but the real issue is privatisation of the service. I have to speak out because the way they have been treating the men is appalling.
‘It is a case of “my way or no way”. Government has forced bus drivers in to this action.’
Chief Minister Allan Bell stated at the weekend that the government was close to a resolution with Unite regarding the bus strike until Mr Karran intervened.
Mr Karran, who thinks Mr Bell’s comments were a case of slurring him, said: ‘Allan Bell needs a reality check, like with the Sefton bail-out, he needs to go out there and listen to the ordinary people and come to a positive agreement.
‘My concern regarding the bus strike is that we need to get to the real agenda. We need to find out what is fact and what is fiction. It might be a case that we need to change working practices.’
A driver, who did not want to be named, said: ‘It has nothing do with money. It is all to do with the health and safety of drivers, passengers and the public. We cannot be expected to drive for four and a half hours without being able to go to the toilet.’
The DCCL says that in the UK, drivers can work for five and a half hours without a break.
Contingency bus timetables are available online at www.iombusandrail.info and at the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal, Douglas.
Nick Black, chief executive officer of the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure, which runs the bus service, said: ‘It is obviously very disappointing that drivers have rejected the latest offer but the department is well prepared with contingency measures and a comprehensive TT bus and rail service will be in place.
‘We will do whatever we can to make sure that commuters can reach their place of work and that our TT visitors enjoy their visit. I would like to reiterate that it is not possible to tailor or guarantee services to enable all students to reach exam centres during TT week and parents of these students are encouraged to think about alternative methods of transportation to ensure their arrival at their exams in good time.’
Due to the potential for increased congestion on strike days, the department would encourage commuters, where possible, to also consider some of the following options:
Car sharing – which can be arranged using www.journeymatch.im
Flexible working hours – it may be possible for some employers/employees to make flexible working arrangements
Walking