The Infrastructure Minister has told Tynwald that the ongoing industrial dispute at Bus Vannin is not about pay but centres on union demands for premium weekend rates in exchange for modernised working practices.
Tim Crookall told members that the department continues to work with the Manx Industrial Relations Service to resolve the dispute, with both parties meeting last Friday.
“Bus Vannin’s pay negotiations was agreed by the Unite the Union at 3%,” Mr Crookall said. “This dispute is not a pay negotiation. Unite the union have asked for changes to terms and conditions, requesting a premium rate for hours worked at the weekend.”
The minister said his department is willing to consider this request, but only if drivers agree to changes in working practices.
Modernisation
“The two are intrinsically linked, and there will be no additional money for pay changes to Terms and Conditions unless they are accompanied by a modernisation of some working practices,” he said.
Mr Crookall said that one key change the department is seeking is moving drivers from weekly to monthly pay.
“The drivers are on weekly pay. We’d love them to be on monthly pay, which would make life a lot easier. They won’t agree to that. That would make a huge difference to us alone,” he said.
Funding
When asked whether Treasury had been approached for additional funding, Mr Crookall confirmed no contact had been made, adding that any resolution must be funded from within the department’s existing budget.
Julie Edge questioned whether the dispute was about bringing drivers in line with standard public service terms and conditions, noting her understanding that drivers are “just wanting standard public service Terms and Conditions.”
Mr Crookall responded that aligning terms across the public sector would be “very, very hard,” pointing to differing arrangements across departments.
He also said that he doesn’t believe either side wants the issue to continue into TT.