January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Union announcement on bus strike expected shortly (Update)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19: Union chief Chris Furbert met with the Premier this morning in a bid to bring the bus strike to an end.
The Bermuda Industrial Union president is currently briefing drivers at the union headquarters on the results of the meeting and an announcement is expected shortly.
Mr Furbert and fellow union leaders were in discussions with Premier Paula Cox in a bid to resolve the dispute that saw a bus driver fired for failing to take a drugs test in the aftermath of an accident.
The union says management failed to follow proper procedures and is wrong to insist on a 'hair follicle' test for the driver.
Government has insisted the driver must take the test before she returns to work.
It is understood that a handful of drivers have broken the strike and are on the road today.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kim Wilson said this afternoon that the dispute has gone to arbitration. It’s not clear, however, how this affects the drivers’ employment situation in the short term or the strike.Senator Wilson said in a statement: "I can confirm that pursuant to Section 4 of the Labour Disputes Act 1992, a labour dispute exists with Bus Operators and Allied Workers Division of the Bermuda Industrial Union.
“In accordance with Section 11 as read with Section 4 of the Labour Disputes Act 1992, I am referring the dispute for settlement to the Labour Disputes Tribunal."
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