Jersey bus drivers vote to strike after Christmas

CT Plus will operate the Liberty Bus service in Jersey from 2 January

Jersey bus drivers have voted to strike over changes to their terms and conditions when a new operator starts.

The union Unite balloted 82% of the Connex workforce and 87% of those balloted voted in favour of strike action.

The union confirmed that drivers would strike for one day on 30 December.

John Rogers, chief officer of transport and technical services who regulate the bus service, said it was grossly unfair to passengers.

He said: "We have made sure the terms and conditions for the bus drivers in a standard week have remained the same.

"We have employed more people and part time workers have become full time workers. We have done everything we can to facilitate this transfer."

Health and safety

CT Plus is taking over Jersey's bus contract from 2 January and is re-employing drivers from Connex who have run the service for 10 years.

Drivers say they are unhappy with the terms and conditions in their new contracts.

A driver, who did not want to be named, said some of them would lose at least £100 a week as a result of limits on working hours.

The States of Jersey imposed a 54-hour week limit for drivers for health and safety reasons.

Transport Minister Deputy Kevin Lewis said most Jersey bus drivers had signed new contracts with CT Plus and the company was recruiting more drivers than were previously employed.

This will be the second strike over the change, the first was for two days in October.