Row over lunch breaks for bus drivers rumbles on

Wed, 08 Aug 2012

The row over whether bus drivers should give up their paid lunch breaks in order to help save government money is rumbling on.

Last month it was revealed that the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure needed to make savings of around £300,000.

It was suggested that this saving could be achieved by stopping paid breaks – something that would equate to around a 12 per cent pay cut to each employee.

Now it’s been alleged that drivers have received letters claiming that the government will sack them if they don’t agree to the new terms.

Head of the UNITE union, Eric Holmes, told us he was unable to make a statement at this time but that talks were ongoing and negotiations were in progress.

A letter outlining the Union’s stance has also been sent to DCCL Minister Graham Cregeen which he is expected to receive later today.