New winter routes in Gozo implemented despite GWU's industrial action

Malta Public Transport yesterday successfully implemented the new winter routes in Gozo.

“The new routes have brought about an important improvement in the level of service in Gozo with increased frequency of service, more bus stops and added routes to provide a better transport service,” the MPT said in a statement.

“The drivers and general will also benefit about the fact that new services will comply with the bus timetables as these have more realistic running times adapted to the current conditions of traffic.”

According to the MPT, implementation of the new winter routes did not require any change in the drivers' working conditions and was carried out within the parameters of the current collective agreement.

The new routes have been implemented despite the industrial action ordered by the General Workers Union. There were no legal grounds for ordering such industrial action and as a result, none of the drivers obeyed the Union's orders.

"The Union has failed in trying to stop the launch of the new winter routes in Gozo. Furthermore, the Union has taken advantage of the implementation of the new routes to ask the Company to change the current working conditions something which is prohibited by the Court following the Union's own request,” Julio Tironi, ALESA Director, said.