Bus drivers back to work
Thursday 15th January 2009, 3:00PM GMT.
BUS drivers went back to work at 4 pm today after striking for most of the day.
The unannounced action started at 9 am, causing disruption around the Island. The dedicated school bus service was maintained, however.
It is understood that drivers had for some time been upset over alleged poor management, a disappointing pay rise and being the front line for complaints from the public about the overcrowded service. It is also understood that today’s action was connected with the suspension of a colleague and the procedures surrounding it.
Both the Mybus network services and school buses will operate as normal tomorrow.
Bus operator Connex claimed that the industrial action broke the Island’s Employment Law.
• Union official Nick Corbel talks to drivers Bob Geddes, Jim McCartan and Darren Waugh. Picture by Tony Pike (00611666)
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Well done to Connex Management for laying the law down about their terms of contract.
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And how much do WE pay connex to provide this service??
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They could of told everyone they were gonna go on strike. How inconsiderate!!!
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Dock them all a days pay and give it to charity.
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Disappointing pay rise?
They are lucky to have one at all.
Poor management ?
Welcome to the real world.
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If this strike was illegal then there should be action against the person/s responsable.
No consideration for the public or elderly.
Connex is funded by the States hence the tax payer.
Lets get a better provider in to sort this mess out!
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None of the information in the article above justifies a strike.
Once again the antiquated unions have caused public misery by inflating a situation to justify their own existence. Shame on them.
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Should have sacked the lot of them for striking. With the Woolies closure then there should be no problem in replacing connex staff.
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They complain about being on the front line for complaints, then they go and do this. what a shower!
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Let’s see. you drive the biggest type of vehicle allowed on the Island. You are directly responsible for the sfatey and well being of anyone that gets on the vehicle, anyone else on the road, and any pedestrians, cycilists horse riders or anyone else that is in the area. You do not have the advantyage of hiding behind a ‘Company’ in case of acident or Healt and Sfatey, you personally liable will end up in the dock. you will work very anti social hours, be held responsible for any other driver’s stupidity, the but of every complaint about delays, missing srvices and hold ups, well beyond your control. during all this you be expected to drive in an exempalalry masnner, despite having your ear bent because there is no room for suitcases to the sirport, otr buggied the size of a small car. And if you are late or early you will be carpped at by your employe. Still fancy a bus driving job? OH PS, Research done in Europe shows you will make more saftey related descions in an hour than an airline pilot makes in amonth!!
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In a previous job I was glad to discover that some unions take their responsibility as ‘mediators’ very seriously and are genuinely trying to do the right thing by both employee and employer. Today’s fiasco, however, was completely unprofessional. No union should back a strike without giving the public plenty of notice first.
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I support targeted and effective industrial action, a simple walkout over a suspension should be any union’s “Ace in the hole”, what are they going to do now if Connex stick to their guns? As ever, the richer people who can afford taxis and cars weren’t affected, poor people who can’t afford cars are made to suffer, nice one Unite!
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Drivers – Shame on you.
Having expected a long walk all afternoon, I was fortunate to get a bus home tonight. The bus was proudly displaying in moving lights behind the driver – Jersey Enterprise Awards Business of the year 2007. Er, perhaps it’s time to move on…
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If they told everyone when a strike was imminent it certainly wouldn’t be as effective as when they don’t.
With the state of Jerseys employment laws the only voice and means for their voice to be heard IS industrial action.
Very unfortunate for the public but worse things can happen…
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There are so many better ways of dealing with this kind of situation than going on an unannounced strike. Are the problems they have the fault of the public? No. So why punish the public? Those responsible should be removed from their positions pure and simple. There will plenty of people to take their jobs!
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Picking up on Tony Banner’s point above. Overcrowding on a number of services shows a misallocation of resource. Likewise the allocation of buses without luggage space on the Airport service.
Connex have been highly subsidised by the States yet the travelling public have not seen the benefit of low fares. Look at Guernsey and then compare this with our rather miserable bus services. Jersey States would do well to talk to the Guernsey operators, as a possible alternative service provider.
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The Connex service is a joke. Its about time to sort the service out and sack those who called this strike with out any notice to the public and with out getting the full facts of why the person concerned was suspended !!!! there are plenty of other people especially from Wollies who would jump at the chance of a job and would most likely do it better into the bargin.
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Tony – see no 10 they took the job so they should do the work and stop bitching about it, or resign and get a new live.
Holding the islanders to ransom is tantamount to terrorism isn’t it?
It’s about time that we nailed this union rubbish once and for all, and we all tried to work to improve the quality of life for all Islanders.
Sadly political leaderhip is required (again)…
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Its nice to see that the unions are still stuck in the 1970′s.
” Business of the year 2007″? It never fails to make me laugh!
How can a business that relies so heavily on States subsidies qualify for this?
And in reply to Tony Banner, its not difficult to drive a bus, and we all have to watch out for cyclists and horses etc, but it does however seem to be too difficult for most of these drivers to be at all courteous to anyone on the road.
I personally think its about time our public transport system is fully controlled by the States, and not by a company that wastes money continually.
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My daughter had to walk from hautlieu to les quennevais thanks to this action.
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Connex are awful. I would support the staff ahead of Connex Management anyday.
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Given Jersey’ s employment laws, one of which came to light with the woolies fiasco, employees can only depend on a unified voice through a union otherwise they are ignored.
If they told everyone when action was imminent it wouldn’t have the effect that it did. Unfortunate for the public but unavoidable…
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the union is disgusting, they make a bad situation worse, connex should have sacked the lot of them, there’s plenty more glad of a days wage
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Come on Tony Banner,10.
You make driving a bus sound like brain surgery with an audience.
Learn to drive a bus in Jersey, one week max.If it takes you longer your trying for the wrong job.
I cant see it being much difference from Mum doing the school run with a people carrier, probably easier, she has no health & safety & unions to protect her.
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driving a bus or a large lorry on jerseys road is a skill.
dotted around this busy little island are places where buses and lorries cannot pass withtout one going up the pavement.
and spend your working day dodging other drivers who cannot judge the width of their vehicles.
yes shame it has to come to industrial action, but did they have any other choice.
drivers of over large vehicles earn every penny.
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Oh how awful!! People actually have to walk for a day!!! This is Jersey the longest you have to walk is 8 miles – no big deal unless you’re handicapped in which case a civil servant or police officer is obliged to drive you.
Well done bus drivers – this is the only way the higher ups will listen!
Oh and Hautlieu to Quennevais – i used to walk from Hautlieu to St Ouen each night!
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As to driving a bus being easy. Try these simple questions. Firat and very importantly, how do you apply the handbrake on a bus? What is meant by forward control? What diffrence will it make to the handling? How many saloon lights must be working and platform lights before the vehicle is fit for service? What is meant by overhang? Why is this relevant to positioning at junctions? What effect would the overhang have if a bus is moved off from a stop quickly? Answer all these correctly and you just might not kill someone. A brain surgeon can only kill one at a time, a bus driver has the oppertunity to kill fifty or more.
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Ed (10, 14 & 22), I think you should climb back behind the wheel of your bus.
There is just no excuse for leaving innocent members of the public stranded with no warning!
Perhaps Connex could be docked the equivalent of a days funding for failing to deliver the expected service level. The company can then hold any staff who broke contracts accountable for the loss.
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As someone who has just returned from Ottawa, Canada I can safely say that transit strikes only go turn the user off. They are currently in the 38th day of a bus strike and I’ll tell you that the whole city is now against them even if their reasons are valid. Can’t believe some people over here share the same views after a slightly less inconvienent day!
Sometimes I wish the local govt took the same stance as the City of Ottawa and let the bus drivers stike so that they can then open up car parks to car pooling cars only and try and stop the single person car journeys. Oh, and they slashed parking fees! Car pooling is far more effective at being eviromentaly friendly.
C’mon Nick at least have a proper strike and you’ll probaly then learn how much your service is appreciated….
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Having driven articulated lorries in the island and across Europe, I can confirm that bus driving is a doddle and certainly not brain surgery.
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Re Lula’s comment- I agree that some people having to walk isn’t the end of the world, but thats not the point is it?
We have a public transport system for a reason, and the company providing the service should keep a decent level of service as much as is practical.
I’m sure that “the brothers” have not finished their tantrums yet, and no doubt Connex will be cap in hand ready for this year’s payout.
Hopefully the new TTS minister will sort this sorry mess out once and for all.
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My daughter was left standing at the school gates she is 10, anyone could have picked her up!! Connex and the school failed in their duty of care, the school didnt know she gets the bus home for gods sake.
When I went to the bus station the manager tried to get someone to her! At least he tried, but the bunch of ignorant drivers seemed not to give a jot!
Who would have been responsible if something had happened to my daughter??
I’d sack the lot of them, Ive seen irresponsible before but this really took the biscuit.
Oh and LULA, you may have had to walk from here to there everyday, I bet it was in 10ft of snow, and without a jacket and shoes! (My grandmother used to say that as well, before the times of public transport)
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Jimbosaki:
Your point is valid and express the views of many.
The Unions should have warned the workers and gave the public time to make arrangements.
As Jimbosaki says his daughter was left standing alone waiting for a bus.
This is not acceptable even if the drivers have a case or not.
If this strike was illegal then there should be action against the person/s responsable.
Connex is funded by the States hence the tax payer.
Lets get a better provider in to sort this mess out!
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Tony Banner point about bus drivers responsibilities seems to exclude their passengers. By leaving children and old people stranded on cold streets in the middle of winter they put peoples lives at risk by their ill-considered action. No matter how justified their complaint may be like every other occupation they have a duty of care and those that don’t put this first should be sacked as they would be in any other occupation.
Maybe their grievance is justified but their actions certainly were not.
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Tony Banner – I am sure driving a bus is difficult, however if I was a bus driver, I would have received all the appropriate training in order to perform my duties, therefore would find it quite easy. Just like every other person who has a skill for their work. And this still doesn’t excuse rudeness that is seen by so many of the islands bus drivers.
I have a difficult job yet am still able to smile and say please and thank you and keep from snapping at my clients. Maybe some people skills should be included in the training!
getting back to the real issue, as far as I can tell, no-one is disputing the nature of the work. I think people are unhappy at the action taken by the bus drivers which caused a great deal of inconvenience. How many people were late for work? What number of elderly who rely on the buses were unable to get to the shops or left stranded. How many children could not get home from school?
I’m all for pulling together as a team and supporting a colleague, but this action without warning was unacceptable and sadly has not done themselves any favours.
As for Lula’s comment (26) that’s all very well, but what if that young girl had been attacked on her way home. Would you still be applauding these actions?
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Why don’t these disgruntled bus drivers look for alternative employment where they will be happier. There are plenty of people who would take their place and be a lot more pleasant and friendly to the passengers and to other road users. To annoy the public with sudden strikes is deplorable.
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In reply to Ed:- If they told everyone when action was imminent it wouldn’t have the effect that it did. Unfortunate for the public but unavoidable…
Tell that to the parents whose daughter died cos the nurse waited for a non existent bus…. or people who had longer waiting times in A & E cos the staff couldn’t get in! The above is of couse fiction, but could easily be true, public services whatever they are need to give notice before they throw their toys out the pram and strike!
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Blimey Tony, anyone would think that you are operating some fly by wire aircraft with the way you are harping on.
It’s a bus.
Bit like a car, just longer.
And no, I don’t know where a handbrake is on bus or the answer to any other of your questions. But that’s solved by a thing called “training”, which I hope you’ve had.
If you don’t like it, you and your bruvvers should resign.
Plenty of ex Wooolies staff would love a job like yours.
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If this strike did break the islands employment laws what is going to happen.
Is this being investigated, will people be brought to task, or will it all be brushed under the table because our polititians are scared of the unions.
Why have laws governing industial action when they can be ignored at will ?
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Lula, my daughter had to walk home in the dark, she does not have a problem with walking places, however my point was that impromptu action on the part of the bus drivers was punishing the public who use the service and pay their wage, not the punishing the management. Surely the public deserved the right to be pre warned of the strike in order that they may make alternative arrangements for their children and their safety?
thanks to all who supported my point
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For the record im 22 and was 13-15 walking home from hautlieu… and i did it because it was healthy exercise and because my mother was at work trying to support us as a single parent and couldn’t pick me up.
The strike was announced on the radio at 10am – and jerseyinsight around 11am… as for children walking home and getting pinched – at 3pm in the day? – surely she could have been pinched waiting for the bus to come in the 10 minute window of waiting for the bus to get to the schools any other day…
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Tony Banner:- “…held responsible for any other driver’s stupidity.”
Really?! How does that work legally?
There are many stupid drivers out there but I cannot recall reading reports of all the bus drivers being held responsible for their actions in court.
I think it is disingenuous to try to garner sympathy from the public by inferring that bus drivers never make mistakes – its always someone else.
I have driven buses (well coaches but that counts) and it is not rocket science. I am sure that most people could answer your particular technical questions on bus driving if they had the appropriate training, which I take it you have had.
Do us all a favour Tony and find a job you like.
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Lula, where in the law does it say that a civil servant or police officer has an obligation to provide transport to the handicapped?
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Who do these people think they are?? I have nothing but utter contempt for bus drivers. As a car driver I find some of them to be quite dangerous and erratic. Many a time I’ve had to stop in the road and pull across to the pavement because a bus is hurtling towards me taking up half my lane!!! They never slow down not just for my safety, but their own passengers. My girlfriend, who catches the bus regularly, often tells me of poor customer service with drivers ranting and raving at paying customers, leaving the station several minutes early or not using common courtesy to wait a moment for hurrying passengers and instead leaving them stranded. What happened to bus inspectors? It’s about time this service, and it is a service, was overhauled then you might start getting more custom. And as for Lula, you clearly have too much time on your hands. It’s not all about exercise you know, people have things to do and places to be and transport is essential so think before you offer your opinions. And as for leaving young schoolkids and the elderly that is despicable and heads should roll. I would like to see the States cancel all funding and bring in a decent service provider. If the service was good enough they would get the custom and therefore not require a subsidy. Do taxi drivers get this??
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Any excuse not to work! You cannot stop working just because yo dont agree with a managemnt decision that inly affects one staff member. The stance of the Union is also totally immature. The drivers obviously get paid so well that they are not bothered about losing a days pay. I couldn’t afford to do that
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unannounced industrial action will bring nothing but scorn on the perpetrators.
If the bus drivers and their inept union officials really wanted to get the public on their side they should have announced a strike two weeks in the future. Those two weeks could then have been used to inform the public of their “genuine ?” grievance, If they were being treated unjustly the public would then be on their side bringing pressure on the management to accept their claims. Look at what happened when BA staff threatened a future strike, the management caved in at the last moment causing no disruption to the public.
If the drivers had behaved similarly the public conception would have been the disruption was being caused then by both sides, not just the drivers.
But “no” our bus drivers decided to have a tantrum and alienate the people who they should have been getting support from.
“A bus driver makes more safety decisions in an hour than a pilot does in a month”. Ime so glad I use a car and do not trust my life to people who make decisions like this.
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I find all this very sad. There should be procedures in place within Connex for the resolution of disputes – be they general (ie pay awards) or individual. For more than 10 years – to my own knowledge – attempts have been made to introduce responsible industrial relations legislation, the leaders of the Transport and General Workers, now Unite, were fully involved in those processes.
What has come of it?
Wildcat strikes are irresponsible. The bus service is a public service and vital to many Islanders.
if the Union which represents these drivers supports this action then sanctions should be taken against it.
I am not an employers lackey – Unions have a very important part to play in defending their members but they will only achieve there desired ends if they behave responsibly and within the law.
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