Bus strike puts over 70 routes out of service

A bus strike ordered by the General Workers Union has put out between 70 and 80 routes, with 300 drivers, and around 120 maintenance workers taking part in the strike in both Malta and Gozo.

The Malta Public Transport Services, until recently the nationalised operator of Malta’s public transport service, is insisting that payroll deductions to a number of employees were refunded, in reply to strike action ordered today by the General Workers Union.

“The company reverted back to the practices that were in place before this date even when this payment was for hours that were, in fact, not worked. In a number of cases, the deductions were given back before the date that was originally agreed with the union.”

But GWU secretary-general Tony Zarb said it was the MPT that had not honoured the agreement. "Employees must be paid back their salary," Zarb said.

MPTS said it had provided the minimum required 50% of the services, and sometimes more in some locations.

"In fact all localities were serviced with some routes being combined to maintain an overall acceptable level of service. We thank all employees for their effort and for their cooperation in ensuring that an acceptable service is provided to its customers. We apologise to the public for the inconvenience that the strike action may have caused and we will continue to do its utmost to minimize the disruptions as much as possible."

MPTS said it had honoured an agreement reached in the past weeks with the GWU and that any information to the contrary were completely unfounded and may jeopardise the agreement reached.

“The company regrets the inconvenience that such a short notice creates to the general public and, specifically, to those who depend on the public transport. The general public must be given sufficient advance and adequate notice to make alternative arrangements,” MPTC said.

MPTS said that industrial action had to be carried out in line with legislation, meaning that at least fifty per cent of the service has to be given to the public.

“While employees have the right to follow their GWU’s directives, the company also has an obligation towards the public and law, and will therefore ensure that at least fifty per cent of the drivers on duty will carry out the service as usual.

“The company has also invited the GWU to verify the company’s records of its own accord. No reply was forthcoming. Nonetheless, the GWU is still welcome to verify the company’s records should it be willing to do so,” the MPTS said.