Public transport strike looming unless UHM is recognised

Public transport could be disrupted next week if Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) follows through with its threat to order a strike over the operator’s failure to recognise the union as the major representative of employees.

Speaking to MaltaToday, UHM’s transport secretary Martin Caruana explained that this morning the union gave Malta Public Transport Services an ultimatum over its recognition.

The union made two demands; to have an independent verification of its representation by the Director of Industrial and Employment Relations and to participate in discussions over the new summer public transport schedule.

Caruana said that if MPTS does not meet the union’s requests by Monday, “our members will not respect the new schedule and will go on strike as of Tuesday between 7am and 9am and 4pm and 6pm.”

He explained that the garage workers aside, UHM has become the major representative of public transport employees, including drivers. At the moment the only union which is recognised by the operator and has the right to participate in discussions over the new summer schedule is the General Workers Union.