Police make more arrests, keep drivers away from airport, Valletta

keith hore

Jul 16th 2008, 22:47

Having visited Malta on four occassions I cannot believe the behaviour of these idiots. We left the island on tuesday morning after managing to get through the blockade at the airport, we are very thankful to a true maltese gentleman who realises the value of tourist and aided us in getting o the airport. These people need to come into the real world and recognise that this type of behaviour is unacceptable in todays society. This has ruined a return to our favourite holiday destination and I feel it will be a long time before we return. For this I feel sorry for the true Maltese people who are always loving and welcoming.

Denis Catania

Jul 16th 2008, 22:38

@ Rueben Balzan Well said
@Josef Grech. That's no excuse to try to attack the PM office. Monday morning I was in favor to your demostration, but by Mondaty afternoon, you guys lost me plus almost every Maltese.We as Maltese no longer want your services. We should give this contract to a big business , where they won't act like animals in a labor dispute. I hope the tender is awarded to a Maltese company, if not it's OK. You guys shot yourselves in the foot. That goes for taxi's too. I'm sorry. And if you are one of those Transport workers who assaulted anyone you should be arrested. If not apply for a job with the new transit sytem, if you have a good conduct.

therese

Jul 16th 2008, 22:27

If i park my car on a double yellow line i get a ticket, but these bullies have blocked entire roads, caused tourists to miss their flights, threatened people who are not to blame, attempted to crash into Castille, caused shops to lose custom, damaged cars, made Malta to look shameful in the eyes of tourists, threatened police officers, caused moral and emotional sorrow for those who are waiting to bury their loved ones and even forced an ambulance to drive wrong way in an emergency... and what do they get? Only twelve have been detained. Why don't the police requisition their vehicles and retain their licences? Police, be more tough!

Charles Zammit

Jul 16th 2008, 22:24

I think that being an illegal strike, whoever is breaking the law must, repeat must be taken to court and pay for his illegal action, as infact is being done. I totally agree that whoever is being taken to court is being the detained, and when time is right they must justify their reason for their actions publicly. I think whoever is blocking streets with their vehicle, same must be removed and towed away by the police, and heavy fines must be set if reclaimed by owners.

May I ask Mr. Martin SAID : What has the Prime Minister has to do with such a dispute. I assure Mr. Said if necessity arise, definitely his voice will be heard. Lets not politicise the matter. Lets grow up and mature ourselves.

martin said (3 hours, 23 minutes ago)
Where is our Prime Minister while all this is going on. Hardly heard any comment from him??

M Borg

Jul 16th 2008, 22:22

@ Josef Grech.

"Please note that bus operators are not given any subsidy. This the Ministry says and the majority of people are made to believe. Fact is that the Govt. subsidies senior citizens and youngsters to travel by bus. Moreover, the authorities know that even if all our passangers had to pay 47 euro cents each this would still not make up for all the expenses, and therfeore we are given a rebate on the duty we pay on fuel so as not to increase the fare. ""

How about private cars running on the same fuel bought for buses.......and thus getting a rebate on this as well?? Are we taxpayers even subsidizing any private cars?? Who knows?!

James Sultana

Jul 16th 2008, 22:18

The more we read and the more we observe, the more it becomes obvious : its not a favour being done for our benefit, its not something to break the monopolies, no ...

it is a show of force : Dr Gatt vs Dr. Gonzi. Dr Gatt wants to show that he has "guts" as opposed to Gonzi`s talking without reaching conclusions and taking full decisions.

We are in this mess just because in his "superiors" absence from the country, Dr. Gatt decided to show his power (at least let`s hope its not just a "favour" to a few people who will get the licences) ... now he left the country in a mess, leaving the Interior minister to solve the mess and protect the public by deciding what limit ot force to use, and the prime minister to decide on whether to backtrack and look "cowardish" or keep going and lose public support.

A minister who had all the backing and who had the go-ahead by the cabinet and the PM to go forward WOULD NEVER THREATHEN TO RESIGN IF THEY DECISION IS OVERTURNED. It means that he went for it alone !!

Jean Pierre Aquilina

Jul 16th 2008, 21:45

@Josef Grech: Are you saying that operating a bus is not profitable? If this is so, then I am really confused - a strike to protect a loss making business.

joseph caruana

Jul 16th 2008, 21:00

Your wardens should be controlling the traffic. Or is it easier for them to hide somewhere and just punch in a ticket on their machine, being justified or not?
@Martin Said. The prime minister is "GALLARIJA". The chemist can only serve you from what he's got.
I thought that TOM whiners were against violence. They are against violence practiced on them. Did they ask the police and army to arrest the Sliema 'housewives' with borom? Surely they held the traffic then. Did they feel faint when all the workers were advised to go swimming on the Mnarja Day 1982. Was this not disrupting the country? The list is endless. TWO WEIGHTS AND TWO MEASURES.

Kenneth Cassar

Jul 16th 2008, 20:36

Dear Pamela Hansen,

Yes, but strikes are part of life in democratic countries, but not blocking roads and keeping people hostage. What if a relative of yours had an emergency and needed to go to hospital? I'm sure you'd think differently then.

Daniel Buhagiar

Jul 16th 2008, 20:30

I am completely disgusted with what these hooligans have done.
As someone has rightfully mentioned in one of the comments, every one has the right to strike and make his voice heard, as this allows a democracy to flourish and situations to improve within a democratic society, but there is a fine line between striking and wreaking havoc .As many have mentioned, this is effecting the tourism sector badly and hindering people who rely on this service to get to work. This has also affected us youths, who are probably one of the largest segments, after the elderly, who use the public transport to meet up friends in Summer holidays, as a result many plans have been scraped. I am behind the government in this matter and believe in the concept of liberalization, which will help the economy to move forward.
This strike is a complete farce, and has created more enemies for these lowlifes than allies.
I hope the police continue making arrests were necessary.

GRAHAM HOLME

Jul 16th 2008, 20:27

The best way to win any dispute is to try and get the public on your side.After being a coach/bus driver in the UK and being involved in many cases of industrial action i feel i know what i am talking about.We would explain our grievences to the travelling public and apologise for the inconvienience that would be caused.Esential services ie buses to and from hospitals would be provided free of charge.Bus drivers of Malta you do a great job under trying curcumstances but bully boy tactics will get you no where only alienate the travelling public further from your cause

jayne coles

Jul 16th 2008, 20:27

I would like to thank the bus and taxi drivers for ruining my holiday, I wanted to see places and had an evening cruise cancelled, will I visit Malta again... will I tell people back home to come here.............NO.

Louis Amato-Gauci

Jul 16th 2008, 19:54

@ Pamela Hansen

"Those of us who have lived abroad have seen much worse."

Perhaps. But whenever such thuggery has threatened the peace of any civilised nation abroad, we have also seen a swift, firm response from a properly trained, outfitted and equipped Riot Squad, including, where necessary, the deployment of pepper spray, police dogs, the use of batons and water cannon and resulting in the round up and detention of large numbers of protesters. This is not about the right to strike, this is about civil society drawing the line at hooliganism, the destruction of property and physical assault. Uttering threats and obscenities, making obscene gestures, etc. are all criminal offences.

The police and, if necessary, the armed forces, need to step up their response considerably. In just a few short days, Malta's fragile image as a desirable tourist destination has suffered irreparable harm. Enough is enough.

K. Ellul

Jul 16th 2008, 19:46

Where is Dr. Gonzi in all this issue?

The country is in a state of chaos, all because these irresponsible people can threaten anyone. I think its high time Dr. Gonzi makes some sort of statement to reassure everyone that this issue will be resolved somehow!!

Unless that is, our Leader decides to sit pretty sipping his coffee all throughout this crisis. Or is this 0.5% GonziPN government really not up to it ??

Mark Catania

Jul 16th 2008, 19:41

The sources said the bus drivers had told Police Commissioner John Rizzo, who was with the SAG contingent this morning that they were demanding the release of the four drivers remanded in custody late yesterday.

Terrorism at its best.What's next? We should teach these cowboys a lesson and boycott the public transport.

Josef Grech

Jul 16th 2008, 19:28

All this talking about subsidies!! I would rather be paid on time for services I supply than being threatened about it just because the passenger is being subsidised. We have been called bullies, cowboys, plonkers,peaminds etc. etc. !! But the truth is that even if I believe that such actions could have been avoided if it were not for stubbornness, as mistakes that have been done during past generations can't be cancelled all in one day, still the result of all this story is that public transport is essential to our country and that the service we supply is much more valuable than most people are made to believe.

DVella

Jul 16th 2008, 19:24

John Schembri - Yes they are, Joseph Muscat made a public declaration regarding Liberalisation of public transport, albeit an extremely muted and cautious one.

Pamela - yes strikes are a part of life in democratic countries but threatening people, use of voilence, terrorizing tourists and apprehending people against their will, wilful damage to property, preventing others from doing their job against threats or physical violence and deliberate civil disorder are illegal and criminal acts. These are the hallmarks of third world undeveloped countries and any union or organisation that allows, sanctions or encourages this unacceptable behaviour should get what's coming to it!

A.Gauci Cunningham

Jul 16th 2008, 19:24

@Gc Forte---so if its before the election its Too Little Too late!! If it's after we ask "why not before??"...........I'm sorry but comments such as these are pure crap----it has to be done and it is being done---and i repeat in no part of the PN manifesto was there, on any page or paragraph, a promise not to liberalise----if there was pls direct us to the exact page of the PN manifesto.................with your same argument there wasn't a word on Liberalising the transport sector on the MLP manifesto either but JM said that he is in favour of it....so is that wrong?? Should Joseph Muscat have not said anything or reacted because Liberalisation of transport was not in the manifesto??? Things need to change and we're happy that someone has some guts to change them........and the hundreds of blogs which literally inundated every newsitem of the Times supporting the Minister proves my point Mr.G C Forte

R. Balzan

Jul 16th 2008, 19:20

I can't understand the logic behind some arguments here... does anyone feel that the violence and attacks by these thugs are in any way justified because the govt did not mention anything in the electoral manifesto? or because govt promised them that their place of work is safe and that there will be no problems? (quoting g.c.Forte on the latter) (whatever that means! ... )

I think govt has shown that it is determined to tackle the issue head-on. The public transport operators are entitled to protest, and to avail themselves of all the legal remedies in the world... but they are NEVER entitled to resort to violence or to intimidate others who disagree with them or who want to get on with their job. Above all they are responsible for their actions and hopefully will pay the price.

Is this so difficult to understand??

Joseph Gerada

Jul 16th 2008, 19:19

It is shameful to know that the same people who are protesting violently on our streets are the same people who are given the responsibility of driving around our Tourists, families and dear ones every day!!How can we trust them with this responsibility once again after what we have been seeing and after the strike comes to an end?no wonder we have recently heard reports of foreign students being beaten by the same drivers whilst on the job!!! What a shame to be Maltese on days like these!! It is also shameful to see that these cowards who need to move in masses to threaten the road system in Malta are given priority over workers using their private vehicles to go to work!!This morning I had to take a different route which cost me an extra 30 minutes of my time to get to work in St.Julians because the police decided to divert the traffic so that these idiots could block the road going up to St.Julians. What a shameful place to live in!!

denis Catania

Jul 16th 2008, 19:18

Knock Knock it's the police.

Josef Grech

Jul 16th 2008, 19:12

@Reuben Balzan
Have you got an idea about what amount we are subsidised when it comes to our insurance cover, or what cover do we get? Because this is a complex matter to discuss, and certainly can't be done over here, but rest assured that it is not something out of this world.

R. Balzan

Jul 16th 2008, 19:10

Those of you who are asking why the PM has been silent.. he's been busy with President Abbas.

R. Balzan

Jul 16th 2008, 19:04

@ Josef Grech: What about the insurance subsidy?

Salvino Farrugia

Jul 16th 2008, 18:52

Where are the wardens to prevent such abuse drivers from blowing their air horns, which horns are illegal. It is really shocking that they are allowed to use such horns.

g.c.Forte

Jul 16th 2008, 18:45

@ Minister Dr. Austin Gatt and President Mr.Victor Spiteri, both of you must consider your position that you occupies, both of you are responsible for the escalation of this matter. It seems that there is a personal battle,with the consequences that the public in general; all the businesses; the tourists and everybody are suffering great lose. Just one declaration from the government from the beginning was the whole point; that is ........The policy of the E.U. is that there will be no monopolization and everything should be liberalized, so why did the government promised them and other firms that their place of work are safe and there will be no problems. I wish to ask; why all these things are happening now and not before the last election ?

martin said

Jul 16th 2008, 18:37

Where is our Prime Minister while all this is going on. Hardly heard any comment from him??

Josef Grech

Jul 16th 2008, 18:35

@frank xerri de caro
Please note that bus operators are not given any subsidy. This the Ministry says and the majority of people are made to believe. Fact is that the Govt. subsidies senior citizens and youngsters to travel by bus. Moreover, the authorities know that even if all our passangers had to pay 47 euro cents each this would still not make up for all the expenses, and therfeore we are given a rebate on the duty we pay on fuel so as not to increase the fare. Thus in reality it is the passenger that is subsidiesed to travel by bus. Besides being paid in arrears sometimes even months, occasionally we are even threatened of not being given what we have already worked and paid for.

vincent galea

Jul 16th 2008, 18:34

You are making a lot of fuss,my brethren .What strike ?! What animosity ?! What are you talking about ??!! Last night I was at the airport and I was amazed and thrilled the love and recipocritory from both sides..the police and taxi drivers. The drivers buying fast food and mineral water and handing them to the police.In return they (the police) thanked and assured them that nothing is going to hurt their beliefs or moral duties...and you talk of scuffles and animosity.
This is the land of love....of free love.

Isabelle AGius

Jul 16th 2008, 18:33

@ Alan

Another alternative to the devolution of the subsidy would be alloting the whole amounts in the next budget as cost of living increase to the ordinary man in the street who duly goes to work every day. The bus drivers don't seem to bother - it is their third strike day and they are still up to trouble.... why waste money on them????

Mike Farrugia

Jul 16th 2008, 18:25

One of drivers arrested is 65 years old. How come he is still working as a driver? Is he a pensioner and working as a driver too? And what about the double parking in Floriana. Where the famous keen Floriana warden?

Pamela Hansen

Jul 16th 2008, 18:16

People should get a grip and stop over reacting. Of course the police should stop any violence. I believe they handled (according to the videos) the Castille and ferries incidents adequately and they are right not to over react.
If they did the comments will all be attacking them and the bullies will become victims.
Yes, the strikers who have used threatening behaviour, vandalised cars and stolen keys should be prosecuted, but strikes are part of life in democratic countries.
Those of us who have lived abroad have seen much worse.
I agree with Austin Gatt. He has taken the bull by the horns and the transport sector needed to be brought to heel. As for the hearses, which is what started the whole shebang, they cannot retain their monopoly. But to tackle a sector, which has been ruling the roost for decades, head on is going to cause more than ripples and inconvenience. If successive governments had bitten the bullet we would have been spared this latest confrontation.

c gatt

Jul 16th 2008, 18:13

There's a very interesting article in the MaltaToday which explains that the licence embargo was issued in 1959. Tat's right 1959!the reason then given was that government wanted to encourage the undertakers to move from horse drawn carriages to motor hearses. In 1961, the police commissioner of the day recommended that the embargo be lifted. It was not. and in 2002, when the government asked the undertakers to upgrade their motor vehicles , they did so after having the car duty waived.
Now think about it for a moment. These guys had the same cars for 40 years, They then get a subsidy to upgrade their new cars after 40 yars protection and they are crying foul because their car supposedly costs €100,000 and tehy can't afford not to be protected.
What other business manages to keep the same equipment for 40 years and insists that no one else have a licence to operate? And now they are threatening the economy of the country?

Gerald Montanaro Gauci

Jul 16th 2008, 18:10

The public transport workers are challenging the ability of the government to govern. A demostration from the public endorsed by both government and opposition in support of law and order is required. This dispute has shown how wrong our system of licensing is not only in the case of hearses but generally. The government should consider making it illegal to transfer licences for a price. It is as wrong to sell licences as it was once wrong to sell indulgences.

marius cilia

Jul 16th 2008, 18:07

Why aren't those who are breaking traffic laws not being ticketed? Where are all the wardens?

John Schembri

Jul 16th 2008, 18:07

Can we have taxi meters while at it ,we need also regularisation . In Mintoff's hay day as soon as they stopped the service they were asked to hand in their bus permits.I hope Joseph is of the same mettle , till now we only are hearing appeals and "no comments". What is the MLP's stand on this issue, are they in favour of liberalisation?

Fred Attard

Jul 16th 2008, 17:58

This Transport saga has, apart from disrupting law & order on our roads, exposed how unprepared the Civil Protection Unit of Malta is and that they do not have National contingency plans when such incidents happen. Unfortunately to-date, in my point of view, we just renamed the Fire Brigade to Civil Protection Unit which does not make sense. We have to differentiate between the role of the Fire Brigade & what truly is Civil Protection. The Civil Protection should not just be there when it rains heavilly to divert traffic or when some fire incidents break out. The Civil Protection, as its name implies, should be there to protect civilians & co-ordinate their safety when incidents happen but they should also work on having contingency plans of various case scenarios that could happen in Malta such as the current one. The Police role should be to step in and assist the Civil Protection to put in place their contingency plans accordingly. The Civil protection must also have clear guidelines for the police & army on the use of force that at times may be required to restore Law ; Order. Striking is one thing but hijacking a country is another!

Alan

Jul 16th 2008, 17:51

I think it would be a good idea to take the entire amount allocated for subsidies to these people and utilise it to refund the flights/excursions for all those tourists who were affected by the farce.

A Anderson

Jul 16th 2008, 17:50

These people have no idea the harm they are doing to Malta and to themselves. On the one hand Malta is being promoted very well abroad and then this happens! What a shame... It would be an even greater shame if the government gives in to such people.

Kenneth Mangion

Jul 16th 2008, 17:45

' Konna u ghadna nghixu, f'pajjiz tal- mickey mouse'

(Excuse my spelling)

It's about time SAG/ police/ army are deployed round the clock, I just can't believe that these fools keep blocking our roads and bully anyone wanting to get along with their lives!

marika mifsud

Jul 16th 2008, 17:44

Could someone tell me if the only legal way you can transport a coffin is by hearse. Is it possible for the chap who was given a licence for his four hearses to commence undertaking funerals today ? If yes, would the striking drivers harrass the funeral cortege ?

austin vella

Jul 16th 2008, 17:43

It is pathetic to hear on the news that even the poor dead are paying the price in this so called STRIKE. About 35 bodies have been denied a decent and respectful burial and kept at the morgue because of these actions. How much lower can some people go??

frank xerri de caro

Jul 16th 2008, 17:37

all subsidies must stop immediately and permanently not only until the strike goes on. Furthermore all licences must be liberalised forwith including for taxis.

J Chircop

Jul 16th 2008, 17:31

Why doesnt the Goverment instruct enemalta and wsc to suspend the water and electricity supply for these strikers? they paralised Malta and can still go home under the a/c and have a nice shower. Take out their electricity and water and they will know what its like being on the other end of things....The Government should get a couple of coaches down from Sicily and replace the service completely.

Alan

Jul 16th 2008, 17:30

How long shall it be, before these incompetent fools realise that then only thing they shall obtain from all of this, is losses on their own behalf, their families behalf and that of the majority of tourism dependant sectors here in Malta. GET A GRIP ON REALITY! The government will NEVER yield to your current demands and unorthodox... 'cos if it does, it will have a full scale riot on its hands - with the remainder of the island's population out on the streets in one humongous protest. All of Malta is now fed up with your farce/blatant strike/baby's day out (call it what you will) and the only thing you have successfully managed to do so far (besides help improve air quality in various towns and villages) is irk the general public (not to mention foreigners) to such a point that any attempt to redeem what's left of any sort of sympathy to your "case", shall be as useful as trying to fill up a hole on a sandy beach with sea water. FFS, Wake up and at least attempt to start repairing the damage you've done to the country.

valerie scicluna

Jul 16th 2008, 17:29

WHAT?! The drivers are DEMANDING the release of their comrades from jail! Are we living in Malt or the Gaza strip? These pea brained idiots don't even realise that they are breaking the law and that they have to pay just like everyone else. I wouldn't be surprised if they try to storm the prisons to liberate their friends. A sort of storming of the bastille!!
How can anyone deal in a civilized manner with these barbarians? I say tow their buses to ta' qali and remove their batteries and wheels. if the police have no vehicles to do it I'm sure the army does.

Saviour Sam Agius

Jul 16th 2008, 17:27

release of the four drivers???? Do they realise they're really hit the pits now?

Joseph Grima

Jul 16th 2008, 17:19

The article called 'Scuffles outside Castille' should be renamed 'Storming of the Bastille'... I bet they will soon head to Kordin and protest down there too...

Matthew Azzopardi

Jul 16th 2008, 17:11

if the reasoning behind not going with full force on the protesters was to keep Mr. Abbas safe, than I can agree, but now that the 2-day visit is coming to an end, do your job and arrest. If you have arrested 12-20 people, than you still have more!