George Cini
Hearse owners pull out of strike action unexpectedly
The strike action by the transport federation, which has been going on since Monday, took an unexpected twist last night when the Motor Hearses Association decided to withdraw its membership from the federation and pull out of the strike.
The hearse owners will return to work today.
The hearse owners, who were the first sector of the transport services to be informed of the government's plan to liberalise the market, were the pawn that the Transport Federation was using to challenge the government over its firm decision to open the market and free it of monopolies.
The hearse owners said last night they were never in favour of the use of violence on people or property.
"We never wanted to damage the country, so much so that, for 50 years, we have been rendering a service in the interests of public health at a normal price," the association said.
Welcoming this development, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said he was satisfied that common sense had prevailed.
This is a major step towards a better service to the people, he said, and the government looks forward to discussions that will lead to further developments and improvements in public transport.
"I hope that the other sectors involved in this dispute stop their useless actions. I would like to thank the forces responsible for the maintenance of order for their efforts," Dr Gonzi said.
On his part, Transport Minister Austin Gatt said he was satisfied that the hearse owners have seen sense and accepted the reality of liberalisation.
"The strike action has been out of proportion to the issue at hand but I do believe the matter should now be resolved since all the other transport bodies have ordered this action on the spur of the hearses' issue.
"Hearse owners have buried monopolies in public transport. The future will see a better public transport service which we want to build with private investors both incumbent and new players.
The public rightly expects to be well served. We have today made an important step forward."
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In Discussion
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Joseph A Borg
Jul 18th 2008, 07:25
Peter Zarb: people fighting for monopolies are corporate fascists. the anarchists are for liberalisation and freedom from oppressive control. To wit - I cannot understand your comment
I Abela
Jul 17th 2008, 18:28
By the way, does anyone here know about the HUGE amount of money the government paid the hearses associaton yesterday to make it rethink about the issue? Some comments really make me sick. How can anyone think that the hearses association found some common sense overnight? I bet you all know that it is money that makes the world go round not common sense.
R. Balzan
Jul 17th 2008, 18:12
@Michael Debono: "Poor drivers, in their enthusiasm overreacted and are suffering the consequences"!!! Another labour supporter excusing violence?
James Sultana
Jul 17th 2008, 15:37
How come all of a sudden this morning THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE FINANCIAL "AID" GIVEN TO THE HEARSE OWNERS TO HELP THEM GEAR FOR LIBERALISATION ???
Why all of a sudden this is being hidden from the readers ?? TO make it seem as if the hearse owners gave up on their own will ? To hide the fact that WE THE TAXPAYERS are sponsoring the liberalisation ? Or to hide the fact that the original owners got a financial reward to accept that new licences are issued?
Who authorised Dr. Gatt to PAY WITH OUR MONEY FOR HIS ADVENTURE ?? Did he do it alone, "and if they don`t let me do it I will resign" ??
Why do newspapers employ "reporters" to quote blindly such things rather than investigate ??
IS THIS PART OF A PLAN ?? IS THERE A HIDDEN AGENDA ???
Qouting from last night: "the Transport Ministry will be helping the association to deal with liberalisation - in the same way as financial and technical assistance has been given to other sectors."
MANY THINGS ARE NOT CLEAR ENOUGH HERE
Corinne Vella
Jul 17th 2008, 13:56
About bloody time too.
Joseph Galea: Why should congratulations be offered for half-way civilised behaviour in the wake of a ruckus that need not have happened at all?
Peter Zarb
Jul 17th 2008, 13:54
Have the new hearse licenses recently issued been withdrawn? If so it means a total success and win for the ANARCHISTS! I hope the authorities kept their point and did not retract the step in advance taken.
Michael Debono
Jul 17th 2008, 13:10
There is a smell of a rotten rat!
The episode started by Dr.A.Gatt accusing Dr. Joseph Muscat of being against liberalisation? What did he have in mind? Under Gonzipn everything is possible, but something misfired.
Strange things have happened since then
The overcharging hearse owners who prompted the strike in their favour have suddenly accepted government conditions, condemned the strike, left the association and formed their own and this on the same day and moment the Hon. Dr.A Gatt solemnly declared that he will resign if the government gives in.
I have the feeling that something similar happened some years ago.
Poor drivers, in their enthusiasm overreacted and are suffering the consequences. They could have stayed home and let the bus owners fight their case.
In view of circumstances created by the P.N. there was in the air a feeling that the government was expecting other people to join the strike. A simple word from the MLP “Do not strike” probably disrupted a chess game.
Some one wrote: this is a plott against the citizens. Time will tell.
Perhaps the time has come.
Is it illegal to transport a corpse to the cemetery other than in a (costly) motor hearse?
L Galea
Jul 17th 2008, 11:37
They know that theuir turn is coming
Jennifer Cosaitis
Jul 17th 2008, 10:25
Why is the strike still on if the issue was with regards to the hearse owners and nothing to do with the buses etc?
Joseph Galea
Jul 17th 2008, 10:22
The hearse owners must be congratulated for their clear and unequivocal action and statement. Despite, maybe, still having some concerns they realised that they were being used by the bus drivers as an excuse for their violent behaviour. Hopefully, Government will keep this in mind in any further negotiations with them.