On Friday, the Department of Public Works announced VITRAN services on St. Croix had been disrupted on Thursday and Friday by apparent industrial action.

On those days, all but two VITRAN bus operators and utility workers called in sick “in what appears to be a coordinated action,” according to the DPW announcement.

Officials at the Department had not been informed of any impending job action, and claim to be unaware of the reasons behind the sick calls.

DPW Commissioner Derek Gabriel expressed “regret that this action has occurred during the holiday and Crucian Christmas Festival season, a time when reliable transportation is especially important for our community.”

The absence of the vast majority of bus operators and utility workers has severely impacted service, and officials say that they have as yet been unable to figure out a contingency plan at this time.