‘Risk That Bus Service Will Not Run’ On Monday
[Updated] “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.”
A Government spokesperson said, “With regard to the ongoing dispute between DPT and the BIU membership, Management was advised of a work-to-rule starting at 10am on Friday, June 15.
“The BIU membership has interpreted this to include holiday work, regardless of whether or not it forms part of the employees’ weekly work schedule.
“Management does not agree with this interpretation and distinguishes between regular shift work taking place on a holiday and overtime for those working more than their normal 37.5 hours per week.
“As with many other service providers, the Bus service is a 365-day per year operation, which necessitates working holidays, weekends and shift work.
“Owing to this impasse in the interpretation of overtime, there is a risk that the bus service will not run tomorrow, Monday, June 18th.
“DPT apologizes for the inconvenience to the traveling public and is committed to restoring full service as soon as possible.”
Update June 18, 9.03am: The last official statement yesterday said there was a ‘risk’ buses would not run today and we await another statement – however we did not see buses on the road in our travels thus far this morning….and buses can be seen all lined at the depot this morning.
Update 12.19pm: We spoke with BIU President Chris Furbert who explained that bus operators started work to rule due to various issues not being settled, and as holiday schedules mean DPT has to ask for volunteers to work, the drivers are notr working today. His comments are here.
Update June 18, 4.09pm: The Ministry said, “The Department of Public Transportation [DPT] would like to advise the public that bus service will resume tomorrow, Tuesday June 19.
“DPT management and the Bermuda Industrial Union will return to discussions. also on Tuesday, in an effort to resolve the matters outstanding.
“A work-to-rule remains in place until further notice, which may result in route cancellations if drivers are unwilling to work overtime.
“DPT apologizes for the inconvenience to the traveling public.”
What else is new?
Just great for tourism.
I thought the PLP were going to hold the BIU in their place. Who is in charge?? The PLP or BIU ?? I thought I voted PLP so ensure the tail does not wag the dog.
oh stop lying…the members are in control NOt BIU president..
Power to de people who don’t need public transportation!
~I thought I voted PLP so ensure the tail does not wag the dog.~
Well , that was your first mistake right there .
The more things change the more they stay the same.
The PTB is a joke. How is it that we spent more on Public Transportation per person than just about every country out there but have the most unreliable system in the world. The bus system in Cuba is more reliable. Time to privatize?
The PLP is doing the smart thing of keeping one of their majors “Keys To Power” happy. As long as they don’t alienate the BIU too much, they can continue to rely on the union to support the party. The electorate of the island ONLY matter during times of elections, outside of that, they are the equivalent of peons or serfs in the parties eyes until the next election
There many other plaes to visit that have great transportation for visitors, this problem has gone on for far to long…that is why a lot of cruise visitors are going to other places the word is out about the deplorable trasportation in Bermuda.
The General Strike in 1981 effectively killed Bermuda’s bustling tourism industry. TV News in the States showing departing visitors dragging their suitcases across the Causeway and then met with an angry picket line. The Islamd recovered, not through tourism, but in International Business. This episode will send negative messages to our recently improved Cruise business. Cannot wait to hear the feedback from the passengers who arrive tomorrow to find that there is limited transport. I really wonder about the mental capacity of the BIU leadership. They say they want the best for their members, but their actions are effectively killing jobs. RIP my beloved country if this continues.
And don’t forget the profanity and the dancing on the dining room tables in the hotels.
Pure a****l behavior . nothing more and nothing less.
The late Sir David Gibbons , the premier at the time , said that Bermuda could not afford the unions demands and few people understood then that he was looking at the ramifications far down the road .
The rest is history . The beginning of the end .
Another illegal work stoppage.
Pulled the wool over all the voters eyes.
Stay tuned for more childish stuff to come.
PLP Fooled everyone
Furbert and his cronies are still running our island
pure un adulterated BS. how many thousands of ship tourists, how many locals. ENOUGH OF THE CRA* excuses abound, she said i said, let me flex my muscles, my toys are bigger than yours, THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS TIRED OF BOTH SIDES CRAP!!!!!!!NEITHER give a “Rats a**” about us or the money generating tourist $$. Y’all know tomorrow will be next to impossible to even see a taxi ( whom will only inflate their rates) . NO excuse to blame the mechanics either. Your paid to work then WORK It is no more than a reason for both sides to F*** the public yet again. If only you lot had a conscience and FORESIGHT. Lets get those willing to work even if they are GUEST WORKERS to help and serve the public. This Island is going to HELL daily. You all better start looking ahead cause it won’t be long before we are all swimming in the toilet with this devisive load of cra* from ALL sides. ENOUGH!!!!!!
RISK????????? a forgone conclusion NO WORK by a bunch of miss fits. Praise due to those that would work but won’t because of Mr Furbutt et al
We all know who is in charge. Reverend Tweed and his guys where are you. Oh right your people are in now so everything is good. Just like mold in the schools now that the great PLP are in suddenly the mold has vanished. You people are a real bunch of of jokers. See how you all feel when your island is like Jamaica and your dollar is worth nothing. If you don’t hear you will feel. Carry on PLP supporters your doing a great job.
Privatize.
Let’s hope Burch does not put his two cents in the ring.
More of the same, it’s sad. When greedy, kills piggy, what next?
4,000 tourists want to get around or go to the beach on Monday.
Can’t go carnival because?????
I don’t know. What else do you want? Seriously?
So tourists will go back home and tell their friends Bermuda has yet another strike, better go to the Bahamas
They already know,the cruise tourist have a local website here,its usually to find whats nice to do,where to eat etc etc but it also shares the bad news
This is hilarious!!! BIU voted for PLP to be in power and now there’s a dispute between the two? What is going on here? I’m so confuse!!! BIU MIGHT AS WELL BE THE GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDA AS THEY WANT TO CONTROL EVERYTHING!!!
Simply put…this is ridiculous.
why is the BIU flexing its muscle with the public when the service is needed the most.
If government sub contracts minibuses, there will be an uproar.
Come on drivers.. lets work for Bermuda.
Unbelievable stupidity on the part of the BIU Nothing new
I had been told on Friday buses would not be running today. Lies lies and b s schemes. Money going elsewhere should be spent on our transportation. In fact, get rid of MP’s cars who use them for family use and/or while using our cars, family members are driving family car. These funds could go to hiring more maintenace staff for buses. Tired of family and friends plan. Fed up with PLP
Same bs all the time
BIU STILL running the show. David Burt and all his PLP Cabinet are weak and useless. PLP Chris Famous sitting around writing about celebrating our Island heritage while we have no buses at the height of our Tourist season. They are a bunch of posers!!!
No buses. No respect by BIU/PLP. Screwed up my plans today like others who rely on public transport.
Burch is full of himself on Cup Match but not ao boisterous here.
When one’s own Transportation is down for repair, and one has to work , with no busses running, thanks Government!
You are a bunch of winners with my tax-paying dollars . Happens to often. Sick of you all!
Perhaps all this noise should of been made when the millions was thrown into a sailboat race, while everything else was neglected. Take a ride on a sunday to any of the money shoplocations and one will see where all the money goes, out of Bermy. They prosper while we the tax payers catch hell. It is time for a serious shake down on this little rock, Enough is enough
Look at you. Defending a government that can’t run a bus service, or pick up trash, or create one single new job for Bermudians.
Collective stupidity strikes again.