A representative of the bus drivers' union, Unite, is urging Chief Minister Allan Bell to get more involved in its negotiations with government.
The two sides have so far failed to agree on changes to terms and conditions for the drivers, leading to last week's three-day strike.
Mr Bell has said any extra costs incurred by the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure to cover the walkout, or any future ones, will have to be found out of existing budgets.
Unite's Eric Holmes says he can't see where those costs would come from:
Senior doctors and consultants call for intervention amid 'critical shortfall in bed capacity' at Noble's Hospital
Rolling delays see Manxman sailings cancelled
Ban for Norfolk electrician caught drug driving
Assisted dying bill receiving 'due attention it deserves' in UK
Faulty device believed to have triggered multi-agency search effort