Hopes for bus strike action resolution

Bus drivers will be balloted today on whether they want to accept revised conditions or still strike next week.

Bus drivers will be balloted today on whether they want to accept revised conditions or still strike next week.

A 48 hour walk out is planned for Tynwald Day and Wednesay.

Following an afternoon of negotiations yesterday between the drivers union and the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure there has been a revised offer for the workers of Bus Vannin.

The new proposal will be put to members of Unite today.

A statement with the outcome is due later today.

Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, said: ‘The issue that had caused the drivers concern was the payment of sick pay: Drivers' representatives agreed that they give up the right to be paid sick pay according to their scheduled weekly duty, which currently means that they are being paid up to 50 hours a week even though they are off sick. The union representatives proposed that they be paid sick pay at their minimum guaranteed figure of 42 hours, rather than 37 hours as the Department had wished. The Department has reduced its offer of compensation in proportion to the savings lost.

Minister David Cretney is hopeful that the strike won't to ahead but if it does they will announce contingency plans by lunchtime on Monday (4 July).