Union organisation says bus strike is last resort

A trade union organisation says strike action is being used as a last resort, and bus drivers are being unfairly blamed for the dispute.

Island bus drivers are walking out from today, Saturday, February 21 in a ten day strike over pay and conditions. 

In a statement on Facebook, union leader Debbie Halsall from the Isle of Man Trades Council says industrial action is going ahead after a lawful ballot, and drivers are losing pay by doing so. 

She added it’s not a move staff are taking lightly. 

The government previously stated Bus Vannin asked Unite the Union to hold off on striking whilst it considered the latest offer from it, but "regrettably, the union refused".