BIU/Bus Drivers Give 21 Day Strike Notice
Transport Minister Terry Lister said that his Ministry received a 21 day strike notice, along with a two-page letter from the BIU detailing seven or more matters of interest to the Union.
When asked what has happened between the Ministry and Transport and the BIU bus workers since the press conference last month, Minister Lister said, “To be quite honest, I am not sure. We had what I thought was an excellent agreement, made on the 12th of May, publically made made in front of all of Bermuda and within a week there was a backing away. We’ve continued on, we have made arrangements to commence arbitration.”
“We received a letter last week Thursday outlining seven, I believe it was seven or more matters of interest for the Union. The vast majority are rather minor things that can be resolved in one meeting. And so I am surprised they would even make it the table so to speak.”
“But what I believed happened was a decision to cull together every little problem that could be found, put in a letter and make sure it fills 2 full pages, and at the bottom of the letter says and you have a 21 day strike notice. And thats exactly what we ended up with.
“We have taken the position of seeking to meet with the Union. We will meet with them, when they see fit. We will discuss the majority of those issues. We will not discuss in that forum the bus schedule, because the bus schedule has been agreed to go to binding arbitration. We did that on May 12.”
“And so I am quite happy for my staff to sit down and work out all of these others issues and I am confident that if the two parties approach this with a desire to resolve, they will resolve. But the bus scheduling must go to arbitration.”
“Now here is the sort of funny thing. When we first had the backing away, the President said one of our members sent a letter in to you and if you could just answer her questions I think we could sign off. Well that sounded interesting.”
“We couldn’t find the letter. Then when this letter came on the 2nd of June, attached to it was a three page listing of all things that the Union didn’t like about the new schedule.”
“So you now have to say, wait a minute, we thought we were very very close. Now if you have three pages worth of problems with the schedule, we can’t possibly be very close, therefore we better go to arbitration.”
“So, the case that they made strengthened, in my view, the case for arbitration, so thats where we would go,” concluded Minister Lister.
The 21 day strike notice runs out on June 24.
Want a job driving a bus? Submit your resume now! You will have a 21 day training period. We need to fill all buses and all routes. Must be friendly, polite, prompt.
If these jokers want to strike, LET THEM GO!! There are enough people out of work right now. REPLACE THE WHOLE LOT!!!
This is ridiculous! Get real Bermuda – quit putting up with this ridiculousness! Enough is enough.
I think that they should privatize the whole bus and ferry service. Surely there is someone on the island that could do a much better job at this than the current government and union lackies are doing!
I need a part time job. I’ll work nights weekends holidays, etc etc. Give the full time drivers what they want, 9 to 5……there are a lot of people like myself that will work straight time, instead of overtime.
Very Good point..
Why does the union want to flex their muscle? You can sense the frustration in Terry Lister. What is really going on here? Anyone??
And what the first three posters just don’t get or ignore…thhis is by design.
This is not the US where Reagan fired all those Air Traffic Controllers.
This is Bda………Here I come to save the day………Mighty Gombey’s on his way…..
This reminds me of the old song “96 Bottles of Beer On The Wall”….
You’ll get if Bernews prints this…………….
Fire them all and replace them with out of work or under-employed heavy truck drivers. If you can drive a HA-HC dump truck loaded with aggregate, or a tractor trailer, you’ll have no issue driving a bus.
Do it! Break this union and their ridiculous behavior! But they won’t, even when the action will come during the height of the tourism season and do fantastic PR damage for Bda.
Just a crying shame. Threaten to get rid of the lot of them, I bet you they would change their minds very quickly. Sounds as if they are just spoiled rottent and very used to getting their own way. The latter I blame mostly on the Government for being weak and not standing up for what is right.
This is what you get when you don’t stand up to a bully like this union division and the BIU in general. Let them strike, people will get to where they need to go. And this rabble will come crawling back for their jobs!
with Terry Lister at the helm….nothing will never resolve in his rol aas minister of transport…..Let the strikes commence!
In 21 days, 97 teachers will be looking for a new job. They’re used to dealing with children, I say we should hire them to drive buses on the school routes.
Fire the lazy ass bus drivers we have now. They probably all have second jobs to go to anyway.
Time to give the Bus drivers an ultimatum, No more strike talk or its out the door. Hopefully friendly helpful people will replace the complainers.
FIRE THEM ALL! FIRE ALL THESE BUS DRIVERS!
In the midst of all the economic downturn, these drivers should be begging on their knees to even keep their jobs!!!! Instead, here they are, making the general public suffer, day after day, because they want this , that, and the other. DRIVING A BUS IS NOT A HIGH-CLASS JOB! Plenty of people would kill for a job right now!
The only thing the union and bus drivers have ever done, is exercise their right t say “NO.” It is time that we, the people of Bermuda, and the govt. exercise OUR right to say “NO” as well!
I can not bare to stand and watch as this country’s transportation system gets worse and worse. WE ARE LOSING TOURISTS BECAUSE OF THE UNION AND BUS DRIVERS!
We should have at Union/PTB Headquarters demanding that they DO THEIR JOBS and stop inconveniencing our country’s public, AND our valuable, decreasing tourist population, who will also suffer!
THAT IS THE WAY THE BIU LIKES TO DO BUSINESS AND WILL NOT TRY TO WORK IT OUT FURBERT IS NOT ON THE ISLAND BUT THE NOTES WENT OUT HE IS NOT A GOOD LEADER AT ALL!!!!
I concur…
This is what happens when management accepts individuals without screening them. like any other profession, a good working track record and attendance are always a prerequisite for employment. A time bomb ready to explode.
Absolutely ridiculous once again. The Union is run by a big bully and the bus drivers hide behind him. I am sure some of their issues are warranted but I have issues at my job too and work overtime WITHOUT being paid and I still come to work every day and do what I am paid to do because that it what is expected. I ride the bus every single day and I have personally seen and been subjected to rude bus drivers, buses not showing up thus making me late for work and other obligations and seen how they treat tourists, etc. In no other civilised country would this be allowed. I have been on public transport all over the world and I can safely say I have never seen the complete lack of regard for passengers as some of these bus drivers have. Is it all of them? No, of course not but it only takes a few to ruin the image for the ones that are good. If they don’t want jobs then find someone who does. Plain and simple.
I just read the first three sentences of each post. Amazing.
It’s a black thing. Why did I bring up race? Because everyone is avoiding the truth.
Social standing plays more than most admit. How many dead white guys out there. Is that comment relevent? You bet your ass.
This has nothing to do with race. The poor me attitude is very old. It has to do with lazy individuals white or black that do not want to do the job they were hired for and are paid for. I work with all different races and there are lazy ones in every bunch. I am over worked and underpaid and barely make ends meet but yet I still get up every day and go to work on time, sometimes work overtime for which I am not paid for and above all I do what I was hired for because that is what a normal adult should do.
TERRY! TAKE A VALIUM AND GO PLAY IN THE TRAFFIC!
Why is the LABOUR government having so much trouble with the labour union? I thought they were one the same team, with the Progressive LABOUR Party being heavily backed by labour union members. Could this be yet another obvious sign that the Pee L Pee don’t care about anyone but themselves?
There’s no chance that any bus drivers will be fired guys, Terry Listless doesn’t have the balls to fire someone who is stealing from the PTB by collecting sick pay while working another job, let alone the disagribble whiners who are calling for a strike now.
Yet again the Bus Drivers will hold the country ransom. They never got the memo that we are a counrty in crisis. Half a loaf is better than none you fools. We are all taking hits, government is cutting programs, charities have been hit hard and you all want MORE MORE MORE. If everyone else has to hold tight and do more with less then so should you. I am flippin iritated that you can fight for this foolishness, workers calling in sick then working a second job, rude to passengers, YOU DON’T DESERVE ANY INCREASE, Some of you don’t even deserve the job.
This is absolutely disgusting…… fire them all… they should be happy they have a job and not be concerned about working weekends. I hope Mr. Lister stands up to this and the whole of Bermuda will be behind him. DON’T LET THEM RUN THIS ISLAND.
Lister will not/ cannot make that decision. Cox will,just like last time!!
It’s on now!
In the blue corner weighing in at 400lbs with an undefeated record of 26 wins and 0 losses is the BIU….and in the red corner weighing in at 185 lbs with a record of 0 wins and 26 losses is the PLP! This is a title bout with the winner being declared the undisputed Bully of Bermuda. Gentlemen touch gloves and remember no hitting below the belt! Ding Ding!!!
@VoT,
That is hilarious,you missed your calling! A bit of humor in what could be a grave situation is good. Lets hope common sense prevails.
This is a cryin shame! Yes everyone is trying to make ends meet. Hell many people have chosen to take pay cuts to keep their job. Financial suffering from the top to bottom. These bus drivers need to get overthemselves! I am so disgusted with how this stupid union operates. Too hell with the bus drivers and the government. Change is long overdue! When’s the nxt election I’m ready to vote!
This really should be illegal, especially during the high season for tourism. Transport Ministry should be doing a ‘clean sweep’ just like Education and fire the lazy, rude, incompetent bus drivers. Keep the friendly good drivers. There are plenty of people who would jump at the chance to train for a job like this.
As of June 24th I pledge to pick up tourists and locals that I see who need a ride and give them a ride for free!
hmm i notice a lot of old buses on the road 15 yr old buses
I would be willing to drive part-time. How hard can it be driving a bus?? I’d do all the weekends and night shifts….
Trashmen didn’t get my trash today
Oh, why? Because they want more pay
Buses on strike want a raise in fare
So they can help pollute the air
But that’s what makes the world go ’round
The up and down, the carousel
Changing people, they’ll go around
Go underground, young man
People make the world go ’round
Wall Street losin’ dough on ev’ry share
They’re blaming it on longer hair
Big men smokin’ in their easy chairs
On a fat cigar without a care
But that’s what makes the world go ’round
The up and down, the carousel
Changing people, they’ll go around
Go underground, young man
People make the world go ’round
Time for government to call in the performance bond. Simple.
UM what performance bond? you mean da one that wasn’t worth the paper it way written on…….great for toilet paper tho!
I have a college degree and no job….I will gladly sit behind the wheel of a bus and drive whatever hours I am scheduled to drive. I will smile at the visitors, I will not call in sick without it being real, I will not bang up the bus, I will be nice to the children (evil grin). I will not strike and complain because I can’t have my way, I will show up on time and drive with care and courtesy.
Am I hired?
Privatize, Privatize, Privatize! Fire the whole lot. Management included. running a bus service on this little insignificant little rock in the ocean cannot be difficult.
Enough of this nonsense from the BIU & Minister Lister/PLP cohorts. Fire them too. This lot could not run a lemonade stand on a hot summer day.
They should fire them all and give there job to out of work single parents like me, that want to work so then can support there kid(s)
As a member of the public traveling from the west end to Hamilton, I would be willing to stop and pick up people along the way. I am sure there are others all throughout the island that would do the same. We are tired of having these irresponsible drivers and an irreonsible union demanding more for a substandard service. LET THEM STRIKE !!!! I am persuaded that the island will rally around this issue and the drivers will soon be irrelevant. Take away their bargaining chip and then get rid of them.
What does it take to drive a bus in Bermuda anyway? The days of gear jamming manual shift underpowered, no power steeirng, non airconditioned buses are long gone. The drivers don’t even have to do the simple math of making change anymore.
Oh yeah…Bermuda roads! Big deal!
In a few days I’ll ride the bus system of Denali National Park, Alaska. The bus drivers there are summer employees only. They have to drive non airconditioned school buses over an unpaved road no wider than Bermuda roads. There are no guardrails & the drop offs from the sides of the roads are often HUNDREDS of feet high. They have to drive these roads, wet or dry, while giving a commentary & spotting wildlife to point out to passengers.
There are over 100 buses in the system. Each one is thoroughly checked & cleaned everyday.
The Bermuda bus drivers are a bunch of babys. They have no clue of what a real job of driving a bus is.
The PLP caused this problem by giving in to the bus drivers insanely ridiculous demands. What the eff were you thinking?? They have become ‘spoiled children’ who now think they can have anything. Terry Listless has to say ‘enough’ at some point and this is the time. Prove to use that you have the testicular fortitude.
The Bus Drivers have already demanded that they not pay tax on OT. OMG they must think they are so special to not pay tax. Sh*t, who died and made Bus Driver’s effing Royalty.
Show some BALLS and fire the friggin lot of them.
Do a Ronald Reagan on them !!!!
I will personally apply for a bus driver job. I don’t smoke herb and have a clean licence.
It’s a curse that job security is so ridiculously high in this country! That grown adults first course of action is taking a day off (striking) only indicates the insatiable level of pathetic spoiled brats that drive these buses, not to mention the excuses that operate the union. And no it’s not every single bus driver either, lest this be scorned as a sweeping generalization. Surely there has to be some decency in these humans who are more concerned about themselves than the very country in which they live in. …as if we need another attack on Bermuda by the US press. PLEASE fire the workers that don’t show up to work. Job abandonment is a good place to start for pink slips!
Better yet how about all Bermudian public transport users demand the strikers be fired to make way for those who actually want a job and are willing to do that job with a smile on their face. That’s a fantastic place to start for the betterment of this tiny country.
Several incredibly bad decisions by Government have resulted in Bus Operators thinking they are indispensible.
It is time to show some BALLS plain and simple. It will only get worse until somebody shows some corrective action.
I will gladly take one of those jobs, show up at work, be polite to tourists. In addition, I’m not on the weed so the job should be mine.
Strikeing on the 24th of June. I guess my kids will get a few more days of Summer vacation….
Mostly black Bermudians males driver the buses; core labour supporters; high school education; will work only Monday to Friday 9-5 ideally; don’t like Terry Lister; and believe it should be them and not the Minister who tells them what to do. This is of course fine when foreigners are involved, but when it is a local set-up we get confused. And besides, apart from the bus drivers and dock workers the BIU has little left in its quiver. Let them strike; it will hurt the tourists and (hey, school will be out!).
Then privatize the system. Create opportunity for employment; capital creation; entrepreneurship; ‘black like me’ business owners; and get paid for renting out the routes. I say it looks like win win all around. Of course bus drivers who don’t show up because they are on their other job, or guys calling in sick all the time, or guys drinking, etc. may not get the jobs they want, but they can always go work construction. No rules there.
Has anyone considered how costly striking is or will be for BIU members? Lest we not forget a heated debate a few months ago, highlighting the BIU’s financial transparency and “if” in fact they have enough funds in their account to cover wages in the event of a strike? Has Mr. Furbert forgotten, that a number of its members are still waiting to see the latest financial reports or are awaiting that some security is in place in the wake of a strike???
First the reduction in services for what little transportation resources are available.. And whilst I agree that privitization should come into effect, there is still a bunch of red-tape that one has to go through ie., government in order to show that they have a viable business plan that does not conflict with the already existing public transportation system. Especially, when the knock on effect consists of the following:
Vehicle Importation (docking & taxation fees have increased)
Vehicle Licencing & Registration (TCD already makes a mint on these)
NOTIFIED strike or NOT these individuals will get paid. And really what could be so pressing that these bus drivers have to have their demands met? 10 REASONS (and not in any particular order) why I’d gladly assume the part-time job role of bus driving:
1.) Meet & greet customers young or old aiding the public
2.) Ambassador for your country (at least one can boast of something positive)
3.) Information Resource (good educational guide)
4.) Comfortable Working conditions (ie., buses are airconditioned, designed for space capacity)
5.) Scenic & Picteresque view of the entire island (only FREE tour of island)
6.) Great Pay (according to your overtime pay scales)
7.) Covered protection & BOSS HOG of the road (whether it’s rain, blow or shine)
8.) Entitled to a full hour’s lunch break as well as other breaks (contrary to the limited lunch breaks received by other bus drivers world wide)
9.) Opportunity to attain a higher level of license qualification
10.) Discount on party buses (being cheeky of course)
With all the construction workers, truck drivers, and everyone else that are out of jobs and struggling to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads, these bus drivers shouldn’t be hard to replace at all. They are ALL dispensable and their union really can’t protect them. And privatization of public transportation (and many other services) is long overdue.
A job is not an entitlement….
Call them on it. Anyone working a second job when they are meant to be on the picket line loses their job.
There is nowhere near enough in the BIU coffers to support an extended strike. Call them on it and you break their back.
The BIU have been carrying on like children for long enough and it’s high time that they get burned as a consequence of their actions.
I would like to know if they will be paid if they strike and if so who pays them ?
BIU is a joke all they do is support LAZY, INCOMPETENT workers!
This whole issue is such a mess.
Come drink from the cup of destruction.
Yet when I say bus drivers aren’t the nicest or brightest people in the world, I’m wrong right? Fire ALL of them, privatize the service and let’s move on with it already. The only problem is that Paula Cox is spineless and wont back up Lister, and nothing will be done to put these bus drivers in their place
I’m with you on this one Think About It. Those bus drivers are like bloody babies they should be thankful they have a job. And yes we do have a soft premier. The union can be helpful but also they go on a power trip now and then.
Genghis if we can………
The people should send the PLP/BIU a 21 day strike notice……oooops…that rite detz y we haiv errections ann den hit hall peters out like hallwayz…..
Wish dee UBP would set off a few mahore uv dem axplowsheehorns horf dee wasthand…..detz rite……..
Whats that “OBA” stand for again. ……AH HAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!solved de crime……..Oceanic Ballistic Abnormallity…………..
Eider det hor det buy Heddie Hairiz blowin hup dee ole stuff he tahook frum Wazgait….eye meen Kaismaitz………
COMRADE OTTI, SISTA MOLLY, BROTHA COLLIN, SAVE US FROM OURSELVES! LAVERNE!!!!! PLEASE DO SOMETING!!!!!!!!!
Bus Drivers need to really consider this situation carefully. Bus drivers must be thankful that they are still working, as the recession has hit some countries so hard, that many have loss their jobs. Bermuda has done fairly well in comparison with countries around the world. The government has tried hard not to do away with most civil servant jobs, unlike our mother country who cut many civil servant jobs. SO during this tough ecomonic climate, I ask for the bus driver take another look at this situation. Also, if they keep asking for more, they also must provide good services to all of Bermuda alike !!
Special girl……..you belive what you wrote? These idiots are being led around by the sheppared and his henchmen. They actually believe that the BIU will take care of them if they go on strike…………Maybe they do have those extra millions hidden but just add up how much the average driver makes a week x it by 2….and your pretty broke again…..irony….so is the Government……$190 thousand a day in interest.
Gives a new meaning to “INTEREST”……
I am starting a betting service. We will have bets on things like how many times will the bus drivers go on strike in a year. How many times will Laverne Furbert defend the PLP. How many unnecessary trips will our government officials take this year etc. You may wager any amount you like. LoL!
There was no bus strike called by the bus drivers! There should be a statement out tonight or tomorrow confirming this. The terrible comments made by some people on this site made me cringe! You really don’t have the facts – yet you’d skewer the entire bus driving force! You think it’s “easy” to drive a bus on Bermuda’s roads – seriously? Is that why cars lose their side mirrors, as well as buses? Do you know that the bus schedule is arranged so that buses don’t have to pass each other at certain spots on our roads – because it wouldn’t be possible? There is so much you all don’t know, but you are very quick to chant the drivers down – what a shame! Get the facts first folks and be realistic – we are dealing with politics and unions – and the bus drivers are caught in the middle. Give them a break!
The facts are that they (bus drivers and their union representation) continue to hold the country at ransom, bully style, so that they can get/have their own way! If its so hard to drive a bus then quit, go do something else which is easier, and give some other person a chance to DO the job right!!
The only people putting skewers on the BBQ are the drivers themselves, they might as well put sticks through their bodies and sit on the grill. If they/you want to throw blame around, look in the mirror or go to Union Street and walk up the steps from the theater! You ALL are your own worst enemies.
The fact is that there was no strike notice! All these hateful comments against bus drivers based on a false statement. Typical Bermudians; criticizing people, bad mouthing them, and outright being rude- all without having the facts.
Has a strike notice been issued or not? Minister Lister needs to sort this out immediately!
Thank you “Me” for seeing it as it really is! And before the hateful continue their diatribe against the bus drivers for cancelled bus routes – look into the fact that the budget cuts are preventing maintenance from being carried out on dozens of buses – so the bus drivers show up for their shift – but there is no bus for them to drive. When a bus finally does show up, and the bus driver goes out on his route, he fields questions from folks waiting for the bus that never arrived – “Is the number xx coming?” “Why hasn’t the number xx come?” – I suppose some will blame the bus drivers for that too, eh? You’ve got it right Me – critisizing, bad mouthing and outright rude – me sees a bunch of folks looking in a mirror.
You must not have to catch the bus. Either that or you know or are related to a bus driver. It has been proven that these dirvers are not showing up to work on a regular basis, so I don’t want to hear any noise about the budget and the buses needing to be fixed. Also, no one feels sorry for them when they all go on strike to support someone who was wrong. You’re complaining about people bad mouthing the bus drivers, well how about they do what they are supposed to, stop going on strike, and maybe people will change their stance a bit.
In the statement above the Minister (whom I don’t have too much confidence either by the way) say he is reading from a 2 page letter from the Union which includes the strike notice. I don’t think he would make that up.
Your point about the budget cuts are well taken and true, I suppose. But if it weren’t for the selfish and arrogant ways of this union division and the Union in general in previous situations and years, perhaps the general public (and myself) would accept, consider, and give this union division the benefit of the doubt. But the simple fact is that your track record(s) preclude me from doing so. As stated, this division is and has been its own worst enemy! This latest backlash is actually this division biting itself in the butt after years of pushing bad decisions and bullying the country.
Yes I’m being rude but not nearly as rude as it was to my edelrly aunt who was left at a bus stop waiting and waiting for a bus that never showed up. This was while you all were out of work “showing support” for someone who NEEDED to be fired for calling in sick and then lacking the intelligence to actually stay at home! So you see, I have great sympathy for this division (that was sarcasm if you hadn’t noticed).
As I said, if you can’t handle the job or the questions, then quit and allow someone who CAN! But you probably won’t have to as the spineless Minister will just back down and give this division what it wants instead of calling the bluff and re-staffing the department with people who WILL work.
Sorry, you can’t use the economy and budget cuts as a crutch simply because of timing. This division has had years and years of treating the community unfairly, it is NOW your turn I suppose. Again, NO sympathy here, try at the next bus stop!
Ok, so if you have the facts why not share them and enlighten all. If you read deeper into the comments, you’ll see they are not borne out of one single statement, rather from years of watching, listening to and suffering the effects of an un-checked and un-cooperative union. These comments/reactions are not indigenous to Bermuda. They would be common enough the world over. What’s unfortunate is that you elect to suppress/brow-beat anyone who voices their contempt at the situation by suggesting that being Bermudian is akin to being myopic. You have a great day now. SMH & LMAO.
T’was Me
I agree, lay the facts out for all the public to see. If the complaints of the drivers is about not getting enough weekends off…thats because the industry has changed, we are in a new era and competing with other destinations. Tourists and other folks have places to be on the weekend so we need more buses. DPT is a service driven department, the people have spoken now stop complaining and either produce or go to another profession. Man up PLP!!!
Many of those criticism’s have some validity to them.
@Bus Driver Wife (assuming that is what the BD stands for)… It is a domino effect across government and yes, one takes into consideration the points you have highlighted. But the frustration that you’ve spawned is perhaps from the perspective of one of FEW good bus drivers who actually show up to work and do as they are required.
This article/broadcast has been posted because the Minister issued a statement labeling the DPT and UNION as primary reasons as to why this systemic plague of ignorance continues to transpire. Far be it from me, but most of the items you’ve listed to with regard to bus management, timetable(s), schedules, maintenance are issues that can be adjusted (minor issues that rely on common sense really and expert management) or better supply and demand a rather simple economic theory. The Union has taken it upon themselves to speak on behalf of its members. If the members had issues with the Union and the public attention of this matter, then a representative should’ve contacted Bernews to clear the matter up. A simple phone call or blog would have been suffice.
The point that MOST of us bloggers, bus passengers and public users of transport have come to grips with is, that there is lack of transparency between the union and the government. So, whilst you vent from an internal perspective there are some of us who are still waiting on the xx bus that hasn’t shown up.
And for the record Industrial Action is the corporate or legal term for STRIKE.. It’s a reference whereby some sort of “action” verb will occur when conditions are not met!!
BDWife diatribe or not, be transparent about your truth!!!!