‘Dispute Between DPT & Unionized Workers’
[Updated] The Department of Public Transportation said they would like to clarify the status of the public bus service for the public holiday on Monday, saying that “notwithstanding the ongoing labour dispute, the bus service will operate on Monday, per the published holiday schedule.”
“There is an outstanding dispute between DPT and its unionized workers. DPT and the Bermuda Industrial Union are working through the issues, based on the Collective Bargaining Agreement,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry said there is “incorrect information circulating in the community”, adding that suggestions that buses will not run on the public holiday on Monday because mechanics will not be working is “not true.”
“Monday is a public holiday and as a result, the majority of bus mechanics will be off on holiday, as per normal. This does not determine whether the service operates,” the Ministry said.
“Notwithstanding the ongoing labour dispute, the bus service will operate on Monday, per the published holiday schedule.
“There are three cruise ships in Dockyard on Monday, although DPT no longer provides charter services for passengers. DPT stopped providing charter services last year.
“For the second year, the main transportation out of Dockyard will be ferries, minibuses and taxis. Only regularly scheduled buses serve Dockyard, and, as stated, the normal Sunday/Public Holiday schedule will apply.
“As has been the case for many months, there may be route cancellations due to a shortage of available buses. Any cancellations will be informed per the twice-daily bus alerts.”
“The work to rule means drivers will not work overtime. If there is a shortage of drivers, this may result in route cancellations. It’s difficult to say in advance if, and to what extent, cancellations will occur.”
As of this writing, there has not been an announcement of any bus runs cancelled yet today, while yesterday saw 175 bus runs cancelled, which was the highest amount of announced runs cancelled in a day so far this year.
Update June 17, 3.47pm: “There is a risk that the bus service will not run tomorrow, Monday, June 18th,” the Ministry said, as the staff are on work-to-rule and the BIU membership has “interpreted this to include holiday work, regardless of whether or not it forms part of the employees’ weekly work schedule.”
Two words that I have to is Just Disgusting.
Yawn…
Well done again voters….
Waited almost 2 hours for a dockyard bus yesterday morning. Almost missed my doctors appointment. Bus service gone bad since plp got in. BIU what the hell are you doing. Oh forgot you run the plp government.
What are you talking about? The service went downhill under the OBA. This is not new.
Is there any hope at all? Overhaul Time! If you can’t do the job, bye bye! Starts from the Top , down. Government Bosses need to be honestly evaluated on paper by the workers ,who, many of them , make their boss look good. Conduct a written survey issued by a neutral position ,or third party. Management is where much of the problem lies. I have observed it for years and only see it getting worse.
This bus situation is total Disrespect for Local and Tourist, and this didn’t happen overnight. Don’t give up , small man!
Why would the government care about busses? They all have new, tax payer funded cars. only poor people ride the bus, and they’re of no interest to the plp overlords.
If Monday is a public holiday, are the workers obligated to work? If not, then how can the Ministry call downing tools on a public holiday unlawful?
buses run 7 days a week where do you live