The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure has confirmed that it has not received appropriate notification from Unite the Union to conduct further industrial action.
 
Nick Black, Chief Executive Officer for the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure said: ‘The Department has not received formal notification from Unite the Union that bus drivers intend to conduct another strike. Before any official industrial action can be taken, the union must give the Department seven days notice. There is therefore no legal basis for a strike to coincide with the start of the new school term. School bus services will be operating as normal on 7 January and will continue to do so unless any further industrial action is taken. If notification of action is received, we will inform the public as soon possible.’