Arriva invites GWU to meet for further discussions

Arriva has acceded to a meeting with the General Workers Union for further discussions concerning Arriva driver's collective agreement.

"Arriva has always been willing to sit at the discussions table with the GWU as well as others, and reiterates its open door policy and willingness to discuss," a spokesperson for the bus company said.

General Workers' Union secretary-general Tony Zarb has denied that the ultimatum given to Arriva was a bold act inspired by fears of disgruntled drivers threatening to break away from the GWU to set up a house union.

"Discussions with Arriva have been going on for a long time and has nothing to do with anyone leaving the GWU," Zarb told MaltaToday.

The union has been holding other meetings with Arriva drivers in Gozo and sent an official letter to the public transport operator informing it of the ultimatum on Thursday.

The GWU gave Arriva a 48-hour ultimatum to get back to the negotiating table or face an industrial dispute.

The GWU is currently negotiating a four-year collective agreement for all Arriva employees with the major stumbling block being the financial package.

Asked to explain Arriva's position over the financial package, the spokesman said it was not opportune to discuss the issue at this stage.