In Jersey the layout of the bus service has not changed dramatically since before the war so it might be expected that any problems had been sorted by now.
Clearly the threatened strikes this week show that substantial grievances remain.
Annette du Heaume is the wife of a Jersey bus driver with CT Plus who worked for the previous provider (Connex). She experiences the sharp end of industrial action and reflects here on the worsening relationships between the staff and their employers.
If the promised arbitration does not resolve the problems then presumably the heat will return but is it the employers, the Union or the employees who should be showing the initiative here and what of our elected States Members - what should their participation , if any, be?
We had tried to interview a driver with CT Plus back in January this year about the deteriorating service and staff/employers relationships but that driver's voice was suppressed and that willing volunteer has left CT Plus employment through frustration.
What does this say about indsutrial relations, free expression and the public's right to know - esepcially since several £millions of Jersey taxpayers money is paid to CT Plus each year.
The provision of transport services in and around the Channel Islands is going through a time of difficulty and there must be common causes and threads that link the failures of air, sea and land services. Who knows what they are and can offer solutions?
Thanks to Annette for speaking frankly - the interview runs for 19 minutes.
We shall be pleased to record and publish a response from CT Plus, Unite the Union, a States' Member or anybody else who thinks they have something helpful to contribute.
