Row over strike day payment for bus drivers

Bus drivers are insisting they should be paid until the start of their half-day strike yesterday (17 January) whether or not they were out on the roads until that time.

Bus Vannin managers took over from drivers well before the official start of the walk-out at 1pm, to ensure no vehicles were abandoned on the roads.

Unite originally said drivers would bring buses back to Douglas, but when talks broke-down instructed members to 'down tools' wherever they were in the Island.

It's unclear if the drivers relieved of their duties early will be paid until the official withdrawal of labour at lunchtime.

Eric Holmes from Unite says not to do so would be unlawful but Director of Public Transport Ian Longworth says payment for hours not actually spent driving is at the very heart of the dispute: :