Talks are due to take place today in a bid to prevent bus drivers from striking on Saturday.
Tim Crookall, Do Minister, provided the update in response an urgent question in Tynwald from Jason Moorhouse MHK, who asked what attempts had been made to avoid industrial action.
Mr Crookall said that department had believed an agreement was in place, through the Manx Employee Relations Service (MERS), that strike action would not take place until further talks had been held in the week commencing February 23.
However, he confirmed that strike action has been announced for Saturday February 21.
Constructive
“The department has constructively engaged in negotiations with Unite the Union with a view to reaching agreement on its call for enhanced pay,” he said.
“The department remains committed to securing a reliable, efficient and cost effective service for passengers and has tabled two offers, both of which have been rejected by the union.”
Mr Crookall said a meeting had taken place with MERS and the union on Tuesday and that another was hoped for today.
“We will make ourselves available and I’m sure Unite will as well, to try and resolve this before Saturday,” he said.
Discussions over premium rates formally commenced in late December 2024 between drivers’ representatives and bus management, the minister said.
Options tabled fell short of the union’s demands, and the dispute was escalated to the Department of Infrastructure in May 2025.
Mr Moorhouse asked what core services would be prioritised under contingency plans. Mr Crookall said that on Saturday, this would focus on shoppers, but that schools would be prioritised from Monday.
Mr Crookall confirmed that ministers do not typically become directly involved in such negotiations but said he was willing to do so if it would help resolve the issue.