Thursday 05 April 2012
Environment Department response to media enquiry from Guernsey Press.
Guernsey Press enquiry:
Apologies for the reasonably short deadline, but a bus driver has got in touch with us this morning to say that '100% of drivers are in favour of going on strike' in response to changes introduced by CT Plus. These include:
- cutting hours from an average of 50/60 per week down to 40
- drivers working 13-hour shifts but only being paid for nine because of all the breaks introduced when the buses aren't needed (which the drivers aren't paid for)
- rent for those in staff accommodation being increased from £112 per week to £120
- internet being cut off in staff accommodation (it was free when Island Coachways ran the buses apparently)
- staff having to pay £40 per week to park at work
Could the department explain why it did not insist on the drivers'
conditions of employment (with Island Coachways) transferring to CT Plus and being upheld?
Was it a transfer of employment or did the drivers have their contract terminated by Island Coachways? And therefore these are new contracts?
Is the department concerned by the apparent disharmony?
What steps is the department taking to help resolve the issues?
Response:
The Environment Department is not aware of any corroborated general disharmony requiring any action from the Department. These issues must remain, in the first instance, matters for the employer.
There is no generally applicable TUPE (Transfer of undertakings protection of employment) legislation in Guernsey. As such contracts were terminated by Island Coachways and new contracts issued by CT Plus. The nature of the employment contracts under a fixed price commercial contract are matters for the employer and employees.
However, the Department understands that key terms and conditions are largely similar to those that existed previously. Indeed the Department knows that the April pay rise that would normally have been given was honoured.
Contact Information:
Steve Smith, Chief Officer
Environment Department
Tel: 717200
