Latest bus strike to cause further chaos

BUS services across Tyrone face further disruption tomorrow (Friday) when Translink employees plan to take further strike action in their ongoing dispute over pay.

Widespread disruption was caused across the North during previous recent strikes, as no public buses or trains were operating.

This latest strike date also falls on the last weekend before Christmas – one of the busiest periods for retail and hospitality sector during Christmas.

Gavin McAfee, a local bus driver, emphasised the financial strain faced by transport workers, stating, “There is a lot of responsibility in driving buses, and for me personally, it’s purely down to the cost-of-living.”

He highlighted the difficulty of making ends meet, especially with familial responsibilities, and stressed the importance of fair compensation for the critical role bus drivers play in the community.

Gavin further explained, “Translink, themselves, are a great company to work for, but during this crisis, everyone is feeling the crunch, and today we are saying we want to be paid for the work we do.

“The public relies on us, and we want to provide, but we can’t provide when we can’t afford to live,” he added.

Responding to the situation, a spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure said that they ‘fully respect’ the unions’ decision to strike, adding, “While this issue is a matter between Translink, as the employer, and its unions, the budget allocated to the Department does not include funding for a pay award.”