Regional industrial officer Eric Holmes said that the strike would start at 12.01 on Saturday, May 25, and end at 23.59 on Wednesday, June 5.

‘The drivers do not take this action lightly and understand this will cause disruption to a large number of people. Unfortunately, however, the drivers feel they have no option other than to take this strike action in order to get the DCCL to listen to their proposals,’ said Mr Holmes.


The drivers have today put forward settlement proposals, which if accepted by government will bring the dispute to an end.

Mr Holmes claims the dispute is not over the pay cut, which has been accepted by the drivers.

‘The main reason is the increase in driving time which results in drivers having to drive for four and half hours without a drink or a toilet break. This could have significant health consquences and is unreasonable,’ he said.



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Chief Minister brands TT bus strike 'irresponsible.

Mr Bell says he's appalled the Unite union is threatening a 12-day strike at the busiest time of the year, when tens of thousands of people rely on public transport.

Unite has said with no resolution in sight it has no option but to take action in the dispute over changes to drivers' contracts.

Mr Bell says a strike during TT has the potential to cause maximum disruption to the economy - but says the Island won't be held to ransom.

The Chief Minister says it's a cynical move:


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Union defends TT strike decision

The union behind the 12-day bus strike during the TT festival has been defending its decision to carry out industrial action at the busiest time of year.

The move has drawn strong criticism from government becuase of hte disruption the walkout would cause.

Unite's head on the Island, Eric Holmes says drivers stand to lose significant income if they carry out such a long strike.

And he insists they have no alternative if government refuses to accept their latest settlement offer.

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Minister: bus savings need to be made

Community, Culture and Leisure Minister Graham Cregeen says the Isle of Man won’t be held to ransom by striking bus drivers in TT.

Yesterday, unions announced a 12-day walkout for almost the entire length of the festival in a row about terms and conditions.

The dispute centres on the loss of paid lunch breaks, as the leisure deparment looks for budget savings of £300,000 per year.

Unite says it accepts the need for a pay cut but according to the DCCL is insisting on a 42 hour week guaranteed for three years and driving periods limited to three hours 45 minutes.

Mr Cregeen says that simply won't achieve the savings needed:

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‘I’m no militant’ says union boss behind the TT strike

The UK-based union official who is handling the bus drivers’ dispute has denied he is a militant.

Unite national officer for passenger transport, Bobby Morton, said there was a ‘distinct possibility’ the dispute can yet be resolved - and a damaging strike during TT avoided.

Hitting back at comments by the Chief Minister that the industrial action was being orchestrated by ‘union militants in Liverpool’, Mr Morton replied: ‘I’m in my 60s and this is the first time I’ve been described as a militant. I think the comments are childish.’

Asked whether the union has scored a spectacular own goal by announcing a TT strike, Mr Morton said the reaction from the public was understandable and not unexpected.

He said: ‘This was always going to happen. The public very clearly from what I’m reading are not supporting us. It’s something we have to face. We always knew we were in for a long, hard struggle.’

The drivers insist the dispute is now not about a pay cut as they have accepted they will lose their paid lunch breaks. Instead, they say the main issue is the increase in driving time to four and half hours, replacing the old time of 3 hours 45 minutes.

DCCL chief executive Nick Black says that while the drivers have accepted their lunch break will no longer be paid, they are insisting on going back to the minimum guaranteed week of 42 hours in place before the change of contracts – which he said would mean there would be no savings.

Mr Morton maintained there would be savings if the drivers were to work a guaranteed 42 hours week with no paid lunch break.

He claims this was the deal that had been offered but subsequently withdrawn by the department - and the same deal would be considered by lawyers acting for both sides when they meet this week to discuss the 79 employment tribunal claims lodged by no fewer than 63 bus drivers.

Mr Morton said it was a ‘distinct possibility’ the dispute could still be settled. He added: [i]‘I desperately wish to end this dispute before TT with all the disruption a strike would cause then.’/i]

Chief Minister Allan Bell said he ‘condemned without reservation’ the ‘irresponsible actions’ of the union leadership. He said a strike during TT would damage the island’s reputation and economy.

The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure says contingency measures will be announced as soon as possible. It is inviting Manx workers with a valid PPV licence to become casual bus drivers by registering at the Villa Marina tomorrow (Tuesday, May 21) from 2pm-8pm.

A Facebook campaign IOM TT 2013 Transport has been set up promoting car sharing.



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No resolution to the bus dispute

There has been no eleventh hour resolution in the bus dispute.

So the strike, due to take place over 12 days from Saturday, is due to go ahead.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure said it had received confirmation that the bus strike would be taking place during the TT festival as scheduled.

The union Unite told iomtoday.co.im that the strike ballot was ‘corrupted’ as some union members may have been given more than one voting paper.

Unite is calling for a fresh ballot.

The offer put to the drivers this week was based on one apparently put to the union in March but subsequently withdrawn, the union says.

The union did, however, vote in favour of that deal.

In a press statement, Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, said:

‘The department put an offer to drivers that both achieved the savings requirements of the department and addressed a large number of the drivers’ concerns.

‘Unfortunately, this offer has not yet been accepted.

‘What is particularly frustrating is that good progress was being made and local representatives recommended to drivers to accept the proposal but at the last minute, the process was halted following interference from beyond the island.

‘Whilst I am extremely disappointed that this is the case, the department is well prepared. There will be bus and rail services throughout the TT period.’

The Minister continued:

‘Response from the island’s PPV licence holders has been very encouraging and we have the required number of drivers to operate a substantial service during TT.

‘The key messages are that the night services will be operating so there is no excuse for drink driving; peak time services will be operating on all core routes and as is the case during every TT, there will be no dedicated school buses during the school holiday period, students must ensure that they arrive on time for their exams.’




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TT bus strike is going ahead

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