280213.jpg)
The chief executive of the Department of Community Culture and Leisure says the announcement of next week's bus drivers' strike is a surprise.
Negotiations were improving between the department and Unite representatives, according to Nick Black.
The next round of industrial action will commence on Wednesday, March 6, between 7:30am and 9:30am, and 3pm and 5pm.
Mr Black says outside influences in the UK don't seem to fully understand the Island's situation:
Police working with schools to teach children about the dangers of social media
It's after the popularity of the TV series 'Adolescence'
Farmers could be left 'high and dry' by tariffs response
Manx farmer warns of potential impact of Donald Trump's announcements
Will the impending arrival of Wetherspoons to Manx shores impact the local music scene?
One artist says local people will always support local music
Thirty nine babies born in March
Two sets of twins among them