The DoI says itself and Unite the Union are nowhere near reaching a breakthrough to prevent further bus strikes.
Joney Faragher, political member for the DoI, gave an update following questions from Jason Moorhouse.
Standing in for minister Tim Crookall, who Keys was told is sick, Ms Faragher said negotiations facilitated by the Manx Industrial Relations Service are continuing, but “the two sides remain a long way apart at this point”.
The dispute centres on changes to terms and conditions following a three percent pay award.
Ms Faragher confirmed there is “one bus drivers contract available to new bus drivers” but “two legacy contracts with longer serving drivers that the DoI continues to honour”.
She rejected claims the department views the service as a profit centre, stating: “My position is that it’s a public service. It is subsidised by the taxpayer to round about 50%, which is completely aligned with it being a public service.”
Pressed on whether binding arbitration had been considered, Ms Faragher said it “is not something that’s being considered. That doesn’t mean that it won’t be in future”.