From 1am this coming Sunday Southern Vectis bus drivers will be taking part in a walkout over disagreements over pay and conditions.
Although Southern Vectis say that they will be bringing in drivers from other bus companies that the parent company Go Ahead operates, expect delays and disruption for the entire week as the walkout runs until 1.00am on the following Sunday 15 July
Apparently 134 out of the 200 balloted were in favour of striking as they were not happy with 8% pay offer.
Ventnor is already out on a limb being at the bottom of the Island without a train line, but losing a regular bus service next week is bound to affect many Ventnorians trying to get work around the Island.
Something we’ve been thinking about for a while is promoting the idea of car pooling. The forum would be a great vehicle (sorry about the pun) for coordinating this, so if anyone is able to offer lifts next week, please do stick up a post on the forum. Hopefully you will be able to help someone out who otherwise might be left standing at a bus stop and end up being late for work. The walkout seems like a great opportunity to kick start the car pool idea …. so over to you. [image courtesy of Lisa Kereszi]
