Updated | Industrial actions averted after transport regulator's intervention

Updated

Industrial actions that would have severely affected Maltese public transport have been averted, public transport operator Arriva said, following the intervention of Transport Malta executive chairman James Piscopo.

"All parties involved have now reached a satisfactory agreement that safeguards the interests of both drivers and the business, and ensures commuters - especially those who depend on buses for their daily travel needs - wil not be affected," Arriva said.

As part of the final agreement, the planned switch-over to the winter timetables has been postponed by two days, in order to allow all organisations involved to inform their staff and members.

The winter timetables are now scheduled to come into force from Tuesday, 5th November 2013. Commuters are advised to keep this in mind when planning their travel.

Earlier today, Arriva said industrial actions were in the offing after the GWU demanded overnight rates on additional workers' breaks, which Arriva refused to concede. The bus company said it has the approval of the Malta Employers' Association for a lock-out to protect the business's interests.

"Arriva has reached out to the GWU in talks held yesterday in the presence of the Director for Employment and Industrial Relations. The bus company has made a number of payment concessions that go above the current collective agreement, but has informed the GWU that it cannot accept other 'unrealistic' proposals made by them," the company said in a statement.

"As a result of these talks Arriva remains unclear whether the GWU intend to disrupt bus services through industrial actions. We have warned commuters to keep this in mind as they plan their daily travel, should this disruption happen."

Arriva said its new winter rosters are in line with the collective agreement, contractual obligations with Transport Malta, and the Working Time Directive, and that they are an improvement that go beyond the guidelines agreed with the GWU-elected driver representatives earlier this year. The company will also pay drivers for any additional breaks above the legally-required meal break and also to pay any time above the GWU's requested maximum break-time for normal duties.

"What we cannot accept is the GWU's request that these payments be made at overtime rates, which is contradictory to the collective agreement signed with the GWU in September 2012. The request is not only unrealistic but harmful to the business and the drivers' job security.

"We are suffering significant losses which have been compounded by the recent withdrawal of articulated buses at a cost of €400,000 per week. These unrealistic demands by the GWU may force the company to review the number of employees currently retained by the company whilst awaiting the return of the articulated buses."

Arriva is currently fending off talk that it will be stopping its operations despite a 10-year commitment after incurring some €35 million in losses since start of operations in 2011. It is also awating a new bus network by the transport minister, Joe Mizzi.

Arriva has obtained the approval of the Malta Employers Association for a lock-out to protect the business's interests should industrial action take place, which will also include suspension of the UBS (Unschedule Bus Service) services.