Bus & Ferry Service To Be Reduced Tomorrow

April 23, 2014

[Updated] Tomorrow’s ferry and bus service will be affected due to BIU meeting which will be held from 10.30am to 12.00pm, the Transport Ministry said today.

bermuda ferry banner generic

A spokesperson said, “Bermuda Industrial Union staff from the Department of Public Transportation [DPT] and Department of Marine and Ports [M&P] will attend a meeting on Thursday, April 24th, from 10.30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“As a result there will be reduced bus and no ferry service during this time. Services are expected to resume at the conclusion of the meeting.”

Update Apr 24, 1.38pm: The Ministry confirmed that all Department of Public Transportation bus services and Department of Marine and Ports Sea Express Ferry services resumed at 1pm

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Comments (76)

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  1. Lick My Chicken says:

    sickening.

    • Steve Biko says:

      Shut de whole Island down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Nancy says:

      Thanks for telling us. This is great notice ahead of time, so I can plan to get to my job interview on time. Thanks

      • Kangoocar says:

        Oh stop your nonsense betty!!! Jumping to the top of the thread along with your usual bad grammar are a dead give away every time!!! Again I ask of you, if you can’t stop your nonsense please stay quiet because you are nothing but a hindrance under your new name, nancy!!!!!

        • Kangoocar says:

          I should have said bad grammar on your other posts, we have now had two days of your new nonsense!!!!

        • Nancy says:

          Kangoocar who ever you are, it is apparent that your obsessed with someone called Betty. Interesting, get over it mate. Also was not aware this was an English class, I guess you need get busy correcting some of you OBA friends comments.

          Now I must meet Betty, guess she gets you every time.

          • Kangoocar says:

            Betty I know I am your worst night mare because you never fool me but come on, has the plp and their propaganda machine really fallen this far??? The likes of you are a total embarrassment to anyone that can think for themselves!!! The plp/biu are now at the point of putting all its supporters back into the plantation!!!! Sad what you have all become isn’t it???

            • Speak Truth says:

              Kangaroo you are the master of OBA propaganda. I think you need to check yourself first. Your comments reap of negative insults towards a certain folks. You sound like one of those racist folks.

              • Kangoocar says:

                My comments that ” reap” of negative insults toward a certain folks, are not racist!! They are calling liars and cheats out for what they are!!!! Somebody that goes under the name you do should understand that, shouldn’t you?? Or is easier to just throw the race card at someone and defend those that are on here posting a bunch of BS for the plp propaganda machine???? I am thinking, you are the one that needs to check yourself!!!!!!

                • Loving Togetherness says:

                  KANGOOCAR you post daily. Not a day goes by without folks having to read the propaganda you write.

                  Betty often calls the government out on things, and this is what you fear more than anything. It appears you seem to having the nightmares, not Betty.

                  I believe you fear Betty more than anything, and others like you. If not why focus on her or what she writes? It is sad that you can not even see your own negative behaviours. Go back and re-read your comments carefully you will see that they are extremely distasteful and bias.

                  Hey, while your at it do not forget to correct your own bad grammar. The only problem with your above comment is that you forgot to call yourself out. Please stop with your child-like behaviours.

    • Hot Button says:

      Dumb. This has to stop. we have an island full of tourists barely getting service and now this. How stupid. when will it end.

      • frank says:

        come on we have to stop this why can’t that meeting be held in the evening that’s when meetings were held before
        if you keep disrupting the tourist they will stop coming
        time to think

      • Evie says:

        Its an hour n some u people are like children chill grow up at least we know ahead of time cant please u all SMH

    • Jules says:

      Hopefully these people do not get paid for inconveniencing us all.

  2. Hmm... says:

    Isn’t there a cruise ship in Dockyard? Why can’t they have a meeting after-hours? The ferries stop running early enough!

    • last laugh says:

      It leaves today….the only ship that would be here is the one is Hamilton

      • Kangoocar says:

        Doesn’t matter, one would think the cruise ship visitors in Hamilton would want to catch ferries and buses to see more of the island!! The only thing this will achieve, is the businesses in Dockyard will be dead tomorrow!!!

        • last laugh says:

          I was just stating that the ship in dockyard is leaving……that is all bye

          • Kangoocar says:

            Sorry if I offended you, don’t take it personally!

        • Redo says:

          Yes, so businesses lose money in Dockyard tommorow. Send all of your thank you notes to Brother Chris.

        • Katlyn says:

          The only thing well hello these shops employ our mothers-fathers-brosthers sisters,etc etc…

      • Oh Goodness. says:

        There is one in St Georges, isn’t there? Think it arrived last night.
        Good old Bermuda Government!
        Between this and the new ‘updated’ ferry schedule, they receive top marks!

  3. Kangoocar says:

    This has got to be a joke??? The biu are singlehandedly breaking our economy ( now that the plp arm has no power right now) one work stoppage at a time!!!! This is nothing short of idiotic being we actually have cruise ships in port now!!!

  4. Cow Polly says:

    Buses and ferries are an essential service during the tourist season

  5. SERZ TALK says:

    Furbert at it again….This industry needs to be privatized or controlled by someone who is more responsible. Absolute rubbish!

  6. Looking in says:

    Fire dem!

  7. downderoad says:

    Bermuda, you get what you deserve!

    This ridiculous and un-professional behavior by the Union and the lack of a unified public protest against what they are doing on a regular basis will negatively impact this country’s growth for years to come! Every tourist that is treated like a second class citizen will tell at least 10 other Americans to stay clear of Bermuda with their hard earned cash.

    What I find perplexing is that the Union leadership are supposedly fighting against being treated like a second class citizens in the work place, yet it’s approach and actions are doing the exact same thing to the citizens of this country and the visitors who are here. I am sure most of you will have heard the expressions that I am paraphrasing: ” Be the change you want to see” and “An eye for and eye will leave us all blind”. These words were never more true than in Bermuda today. As Bermudians we should think very seriously about the path we have been on for too long. IT DOES NOT WORK FOR ANYONE!

  8. PBanks says:

    I suppose I’m a bit happy that the public’s been given 18 hours notice, better than zero. So that’s *something*, at least.

    • somuchless says:

      Not the point fool. Most things the union does should not happen. The End

      • PBanks says:

        Why the vicious remarks to my comments? That’s two so far. Did someone pee in your cereal this morning?

  9. jt says:

    Essential Service.

    Do it.

  10. take it and like it says:

    Umm to all those that are complaining. Please just take it and like it. It’s not like you are going to do anything about it (but you could)

    Remember stand for something or fall for anything. I guess we are falling for ANYTHING

    Passive mined cultures NEVER move forward. We like taking licks so people won’t point us out as being different or in a case like this insubordinate or just down right defiant

  11. Truth Seeker says:

    You people are worst than children. What other time can they hold a meeting? Because I am all ears. Put up or shut up.

    • Sooooo says:

      How about at 8:00PM AFTER the Ferries stop running….

    • Kangoocar says:

      Very simple, both ferry and bus drivers work shifts, you hold two meetings, each meeting will have the workers that are not scheduled to work at that time!!! I put up so now you need to shut up!!!

      • Terry says:

        Bull s***
        When was the last time you caught a ferry home at 1am.

    • jt says:

      What other time can they hold a meeting? You are joking right?

    • MilkShake says:

      whats wrong with “after hours” oh yeah, b=no would show up then DW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  12. nuffin but the truth says:

    the biu will soon be extinct…employers and governments are getting tired of people like furbert and others that cause chaos to their businesses.

    • PBanks says:

      Let’s not get carried away here. BIU isn’t going away, but I think the public will appreciate a BIU that is more considerate of the public and not so singular in focus.

      This of course going hand-in-hand with the respective employers showing foresight when making decisions that impact employees and their respective workers’ unions where applicable.

      • somuchless says:

        You must be Chris Furbert cause you’re talking out your @ss with your stupid comments

        • PBanks says:

          Nope, just a realist. You really think that the BIU is going to be extinct? Seriously?

        • Onion says:

          Sounds sensible to me.

  13. Terry says:

    @ Truth.
    The issues with Marine and Ports has been sent to arbitration or something like that.
    Matters prior have been dealt with and/or are in negociation.

    This is nothing more than a ploy from above (see previous Gov.)

    Letter to the editor/spam/ prolific facebook and blog sites.

    All by design as I have stated before and others have also.

    Viva la revaloosheon.

    Sad.

  14. Bob Barker says:

    Meanwhile, in the real world, meetings were held at times that didn’t impact customers…

  15. Independent says:

    I’m not sure if this is the reason, but the BIU had a meeting scheduled for lastnight, however not enough members showed up to the meeting. That could be the reason this time, not sure about all the other times.

    • Kangoocar says:

      You could be onto something??? It would not surprise me in the least because they have no problem being an inconvenience to everyone else just as long as they are not the ones being inconvenienced!!!!!!

    • Katlyn says:

      You wont get anyone to turn up to a meeting if were at their dinner time,but you get a whole lot of people during working hours.

  16. 21st Century says:

    Good luck getting to the Ag Show, kids

    • Portia says:

      The kids are in school tomorrow, they are only out Friday for the Ag show.

  17. Cranberry says:

    So funny – the BIU remains the laughing stock of the Island…

    At least KFC will be open..

  18. wondering says:

    Bermuda wake up!

    When Bermuda is ECONOMICALLY reduced to the likes of Jamaica – where the exchange rate is almost JA$100 to USD$1.00 or anywhere where a DOLLAR ISN’T A DOLLAR. THEN WILL WE HAVE THESE DISRUPTIONS THAT WILL EQUAL LESS PAY FOR THE TIME TAKEN OFF WORK?

    I SAY PRIVATIZE THE WHOLE LOT AND IF YOU WEREN’T IN A POSITION TO RUN A FERRY SERVICE TODAY OR A BUS SERVICE TODAY – YOU DAMN WELL WON’T BE IN A POSITION TO RUN IT TOMORROW!

    YOU WOULD BE IN A NO BETTER POSITION THAN YOU ARE TODAY AND WOULD ONLY BE AT THE SAME LEVEL – EN EMPLOYEE!

    DON’T GET ME WRONG – AN EMPLOYEE IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE AS EVERYONE CANNOT BE BOSSES – THAT’S JUST NOT REALISTIC.

    WE ARE RUNNING THIS COUNTRY LIKE SOME JIMMY HOFFA RACKET (ON BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN).

    GOVT HASN’T HAD ANY EFFECTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY OR PERFORMANCE MEASURES THAT AREN’T ATTACKED BY THE UNIONS WHEN ENFORCED.

    THE UNIONS HAVE DEFENDED SUB PAR PERFORMANCE INSTEAD OF HAVING THE BALLS TO SAY – YOU AREN’T HOLDING UP YOUR END OF THE BARGAIN AND HAVE TO GO!

    WE HAVE REWARDED THE REST OF THE PERFORMING CIVIL SERVICE WITH UNPAID REST DAYS AND STILL GET SUBJECT TO HAVING TO BE WITHOUT TRANSPORT LIKE IT IS A BUNCH OF MARBLES.

    THE LIST GOES ON

    EDITORIAL NOTE:

    THIS POST IS WRITTEN BY A UNION MEMBER WHO IS DISGUSTED WITH THE METHODS OF NEGOTIATION OR LACK THEREOF AND IS USING THESE EXAMPLES (AND THAT OF HOW THE UNPAID REST DAY WAS JAMMED ON THE WORKERS) AS THE BASIS OF THE ARGUMENT THAT EITHER:

    1. THE UNION NEEDS TO HAVE MEETINGS ON AN AFTER HOUR BASIS!

    OR

    2. THE UNION MUST GO AND REGROUP AND RE-BRAND ITSELF AND STOP PAYING LIP SERVICE TO QUALITY SERVICE!!

  19. ABC says:

    FURBERT STOP UIR S*** NOW OK TIRED OF U BULLS*********

    NO M,ORE TALKIN ACT MR TOUGH ANON WOULD EXPOSED UUR

    GO AHEAD U WANNA START GO AHEAD

  20. Mumbo Jumbo says:

    Dat’s all?…a meeting?…so you have no people to put in their stead?…..If it ‘s about OT to do maintwnance that is the wrong way to go about it…the money was cut a year or two towards the end of plps’time ended…they had spent the money and you bloody well know that!….You can go ahead but…I say it would be cheaper and more cost effective to have a seperate maintenance staff…who aren’t worn out from a day work week….besides…I personally feel you spoiled yourselves and don’t deserve cake and eat it too…..not with that attitude!
    HELL …let me put it this way….you treat people how you wish to be treated!….you walk away from good pay….you inconvenience our guests….you insist on a womans dissmissal for speaking her mind…she was right ….you don’t like your job give it to me…or some one else…when a union gets a woman fired it is not a union!

  21. Bermuda boy says:

    Give up on bermuda and go to an island that will treat you as a tourist, not a terrorist.

  22. Jennifer says:

    The last time they stopped ferry and bus service I was at the bus stop with some visitors and they were very disgusted. Something needs to be done. They never did this before, so why are they letting Chris Furbert hold this island hostage

  23. godson says:

    What is this meeting exactly about? Please, Minister Fahy sort these lot out….If the meeting is really important then its understandable that those who NEED to be there should be there. I like the suggestion someone made earlier…Do ALL of the ferry/bus workers have to be there? Could they possibly have two meetings and utilize shift workers? Please BIU, think of the people (e.g. elderly) who depend on public transportation…..

    • frank says:

      in the old days meetings were held after working hours mine were held at 8pm if we continue on this path chris this island will be no more you a a leader should have more smarts by now and stop this bs

      • Godson says:

        We need to go back to the old days Frank…this ignorance that is going on needs to stop.

  24. Triangle Drifter says:

    Oh great! Another wildcat strike. That is what it amounts to. Hope they are not getting paid to wander off to this meeting for half a day.

  25. Coffee says:

    It maybe that they’re meeting to make transport an essential service !

  26. The Skink says:

    PTB for privatisation. Click “Like” for Yes; Click “Dislike” for No.

  27. The Skink says:

    That is a beautiful picture Bernews.

  28. Former Union Member says:

    If they have another ‘meeting’ on Friday attendance at the Ag Show will go up…:-)

  29. I can do dat says:

    I need a job and could do either of these basic jobs and wouldn’t walk off the job

  30. Verly says:

    If the meeting has to be held during the day, why can’t they send a couple of representatives to the meeting that can then report back to the rest of the staff? I thought that was what shop stewards were for. There is no need for the service to be interrupted for all these meetings. Let a couple of people go and take notes and take the info back to the workers. That’s what my department does, which works well and keeps business up and running. I think that’s a fair solution, but maybe it’s too complicated for the BIU (insert sarcasm).

    • Raymond Ray says:

      I’d also believed that’s precisely what the union shop stewards are there for,”to represent the workers” Far too much of the same old crap laid upon the public every so often by the B.I.U.Bermuda and all its occupants are held hostage! :-(

  31. swing voter says:

    Ewart Brown said it best. The attitude of entitlement will be our downfall…..u bies drive buses and ferries that the tax payers paid for. We pay you! We deserve better!…that new group that wanna march May 1st should include ‘better public service’ in their manifesto ;-(

  32. LOL (original TM*) says:

    So where are the PLP people and why are they not encourging the the BIU and the government to work together for the betteremnt of the People….oh right it depends on which people ……..

    LOL

  33. Banana Leaf says:

    Has there been any explanation of why the meeting was held and what was accomplished?
    How much notice were union members given of the meeting? Though a bit of notice seen by some may be better than none, many were unaware and waiting for transportation, charged for missed appointments, etc.