Unions demand talks with transport regulator over Arriva’s future

 The Union Haddiema Maqghudin has called for a new meeting with Transport Malta over the future of public transport operator Arriva, saying talks between both parties on the future of the company in Malta had been "exhausted".

The UHM said it was waiting for legal and financial advice on what action the union will take over a lack of agreement on workers' conditions. The UHM represents 300 members from the 1,200-person workforce.

"We're concerned about the future and guarantee of employment for workers of this company. We have asked for a new meeting with the government after our last request on 25 October," UHM section secretary Martin Caruana said.

It is unclear as to what future Arriva, a Deutsche Bahn subsidiary, has in Malta after reportedly losing close to €35 million since its problematic start of operations in 2011.

Even the General Workers Union has requested a meeting with Transport Minister Joe Mizzi and the Arriva management to discuss the latest developments. The union is seeking a guarantee that if there was a new operator, all the current employees would keep their job.

It is no secret that government ministers are aware that a 'Plan B' is in the offing should Arriva leave Malta. Joe Mizzi has not confirmed whether loss-making Arriva will stay on, only having stated that an efficient bus service for the island would need more vehicles, and more workers.

The Sunday Times has reported that Paramount Coaches, one of the leading private bus and coach operators in Malta, was interested in taking over the bus service should the long drawn-out negotiations between government and Arriva fail.

The sources said that one of the "least messy options" would be for Arriva to transfer its business to the new consortium rather than terminate its 10-year contract by mutual consent, or file for liquidation which would be the worst case scenario.