The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure is pleased to advise passengers that industrial action planned by bus drivers next week has been called off. Unite the Union has confirmed following a further ballot held today that bus drivers have voted in favour of accepting a revised offer from the Department and against striking on 5 and 6 July. Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, said: ‘Contrary to public perception I am not directly involved in the negotiations but I fully support senior officers who are seeking to buy out some historic, and restrictive, terms and conditions. The sticking point was over the level of sick pay and I am pleased bus drivers have decided to accept the revised offer and I look forward to buses running as normal next week whilst the Department and Union finalise the terms and conditions that will allow us to move forward. The solution has been reached not by increasing the amount of compensation paid but by both parties agreeing on what changes can be made and what the value of those changes are. Our aim is to make the organisation more efficient and as a result produce a significant ongoing saving to the taxpayer whilst endeavouring to avoid any impact on day to day bus services. We are pleased that the drivers recognise the importance of this and will support us in our efforts. I have made it clear that Government Departments have to become more efficient. These changes will help us become more efficient but there is still a long way to go. I am glad that our workforce representatives recognise the size of the challenges facing us and are now willing to work with us. There is more to do yet and I will continue to tackle difficult issues like this until we are as good as we possibly can be.’ · Details of the bus services which will operate on Tynwald Day can be found by visiting www.iombusandrail.info under the ‘noticeboard’. ENDS