The dispute is understood to be over pay and contractual issues
In eight days' time, bus drivers across the Isle of Man are set to go on strike for 10 days.
It follows a ballot of Unite the Union members last year, the result of a lengthy dispute over pay and contractual issues.
Despite industrial action being put on hold over the festive period, yesterday (12 February), the union confirmed a walkout would now be taking place.
A statement provided to Manx Radio reads: "This action follows the continued failure of the Department of Infrastructure to resolve the dispute. Drivers have remained engaged throughout. The opportunity to settle this has been there. It has not been taken. The responsibility for the disruption now rests with Government."
How did we get to this point?
- December 5: Unite confirms bus drivers vote for industrial action
- Bus Vannin says it's committed to ongoing discussions with drivers
- December 8: Unite claims negotiations with Bus Vannin yet to produce an authorised pay offer, nearly a year after talks began
- December 16: Former DOI minister, Michelle Haywood says bus drivers will hold of taking industrial action while talks continue
- December 17: Dr Haywood confirms talks will continue between Unite and the DOI over the festive season
- February 12: Strike action confirmed
So what now?
Infrastructure minister Tim Crookall says his department met with the union yesterday, with another meeting planned for the 24 February, three days after the start of the planned action.
"There's several options on the table. The door is still open to talks."
Minister Crookall has pinned the delayed timeline on the assumption that meetings haven't been taking place:
"No idea"
While strike action has been confirmed, the minister admits he has 'no idea' what impact it will have on the Island, adding the department hasn't yet been told what the union intends to do:
Contingency plans?
Mr Crookall hopes that once Unite's plans are made available, the DOI will have office staff or some drivers that will want to cover the essential services which includes, schools, hospital services, patient transfer and for employees to get to work.
Don't pick on staff
Whilst the minister admits there are issues with transport in general across the Island, he says his department is trying to resolve it.
"Everything the department does is in the public's eye whether it's roads, the ports, whatever it is, and we try our best."
But he adds, still some employees are criticised regardless:
You can listen to the full interview with Minister Crookall via the Manx Radio Newscast:
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