The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure has received formal notification from Unite the Union that bus drivers in the Isle of Man have rejected the Department’s latest pay terms and conditions offer.
The strike planned to take place during the TT festival will go ahead from 25 May – 5 June. Negotiations continue.
The Department has confirmed that there will be a comprehensive bus and rail service in place throughout TT and timetables are available online at www.iombusandrail.info and at the Welcome Centre.
Nick Black, DCCL Chief Executive Officer said:
‘It is obviously very disappointing that drivers have rejected the latest offer but the Department is well prepared with contingency measure 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.
- It may also be possible for some employees to work from home
