Drivers' roster: Arriva explains, GWU urges drivers to go to work tomorrow
The bus drivers during their protest this afternoon.
The GWU this evening appealed to all Arriva bus drivers to go in to work according to their roster tomorrow morning.
In a statement, it said it had been assured by Arriva in an eight-hour meeting yesterday that the current rosters would be changed within two weeks.
The union said that in current circumstances, it was satisfied with the agreement reached with Arriva. It had been impossible to change the rosters by tomorrow but, the union said, it had negotiated compensation of €35 for those drivers who were required to work a 12-hour split shift.
The union said it had also been agreed that the company would consult it on the new roster.
Almost 200 drivers this afternoon protested over the new roster and threatened that they would not go in to work tomorrow and would stop buses from starting the service (see separate story at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110702/local/angry-bus-drivers-again-threaten-not-to-work-tomorrow.373525 )
The union in its statement explained that the bus drivers had agreed on Thursday that it would represent them in the talks with Arriva. It said the absolute majority of the drivers understood what had been agreed and would go in to work tomorrow morning.
In appealing to all bus drivers to go to work, the union urged them not to let anyone divide them. It also promised that if anomalous shift hours came up, it would make fresh representations to the company.
ARRIVA EXPLAINS
Arriva Malta in a statement explained that yesterday it met representatives of the General Workers’ Union for constructive discussion about issues raised by a number of drivers on the shift structures planned for the new public transport operation.
"We understood from the union representatives that the changes we intend to introduce, accommodated and satisfied in full the complaints of their members. We also made public that we intend to suitably compensate employees who will work split shifts during the month of July," the company said.
It explained that split shifts do not mean a longer shift than the nine hours agreed to. For example, the shift might have the first half starting at 8.00, finishing at noon, with free time to return home or do whatever they like, returning for the second part of the shift between 3.30 and 8.30 p.m.
"It should be noted that split shifts are very common in public transport environments," Arriva said.
"I would like to reiterate to drivers that Arriva Malta’s planned rosters are fully compliant with legal requirements and in line with the contracts of employment that they have entered into," Keith Bastow, Managing director, Arriva Malta, said.
"However, the rosters are considered to be of a temporary nature – they do contain slightly more split shifts than anticipated and we have committed to revising them in the coming weeks. Indeed yesterday we acknowledged the feedback raised by the General Workers’ Union and our plans to revise the shift patterns have been brought forward to the end of July."
He also pointed out that Arriva had received no formal intention of industrial action. All employees were therefore expected to report for duty as rostered.
"I trust that, upon reflection, all drivers will realise that this represents a fair resolution to what is a very short-term solution,"Mr Bastow said.
"Our employees views are very important to us, and there are a number of channels and procedures in place through which employees can raise any questions, concerns or grievances with us directly. I remain totally impressed by the level of commitment and enthusiasm shown during training by the majority of our newly recruited drivers and am confident that with support they will become the backbone of this transformational change to public transport.
"The focus of the Arriva Malta team remains firmly on delivering the new bus services to the public of Malta and Gozo tomorrow."
Popular Stories
Old buses, drivers to return
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Three new Nationalist MPs elected –...
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
PL reacts as PN labels Franco Debono's...
In Discussion
Old buses, drivers to return
Updated: Minister apologises for...
PL reacts as PN labels Franco Debono's...
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Protected birds shot and trapped as...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
PN postpones salaries as financial...
Updated - PM's offer to Opposition MPs...
42 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Mr G Mangion
Jul 3rd 2011, 11:07
Jekk Ghada id - Drivers ma Jmorrux hu jaghmlu Xogholhom Kif Apellatilhom il - gwu .....
Tkun Qed Igarrab Lakbar SFIDUCJA MILL MEMBBRI TAGHHA STESS !!! Insomma imdorija il gwu !
Stefan Zammit
Jul 3rd 2011, 09:57
Simple, fire them, they did not turn up and I'm quite sure that not going to work without a good explanation and without union directives is what happens - at least that's what would happen to me!
Mario Mifsud
Jul 3rd 2011, 09:28
Ha Ha Ha!!! Honestly we always know it all. I really enjoy starting the day reading people's comments. The only problem I find is people from overseas reading some of the comments!!! They must think we are an island full of morons who know it all!!! Jien naf, int qatt ma taf. Il-gvern,l-oppozizzjoni, il-GWU. il-UHM. Insomma s-soltu. Politika tieghla u niezla. Insomma mates, komplu ikkumentaw, you really make my day!!!!
guido cutajar
Jul 3rd 2011, 08:35
Kif dejjem nghejd jien..........Kieku qatt xi darba il gvernijiet tal P.N. jghamlu progett li ma jibdiex bit tahwid. Dejjem ikun hemm dik ix xi haga nieqsa. Jew nuqqas ta trasparenza, xamma ta korruzzjoni, kuntratti bazwijien, misteri. decizzjonijiet hziena mil managment, flus aktar milli progettati, ministru kontra ministru,u mitt haga ohra...........U Alla `ibierek ma tismax b`rizenja wahda. Issa rega` hareg b`ohra il Ministru li hadd ma jista ghalih. " Dawk li ma imorrux ghax xoghol jitkeccew " ........Tista tibda minnek u kompli fuq shabek miz zewg nahat tal parlament, li ghal l-ebda raguni valida naqsu mil gurament li hadu, u ma jattendux sabiex jaqdu dmirhom kif suppost , ghax ghalhekk qeghdin jithallsu. Mahhom nigbed ghanke lil dawk li immorru fil parlament biex jorqdu, ghax fuq ix xoghol ma tistax torqod.
Michael Parnis
Jul 3rd 2011, 07:27
For all those who always critisize the GWU and the workers, pkease note that
1 The agreement reached on Friday is no were near to any other agreement reached before.
2 The majority of the drivers (old and new) are respectfull persons and will do their best to provide the best service.
3 Only a handfull are still finding all immaginable problems.
4 Workers signed contracts for 48 hrs over 5 days or 54 over 6 days, no were did they sign to work 8 hrs.
5 If workers work 8 hrs for 5 days this will add up to 40 hrs.
6 The 35Euro is over and above the wages and a temporary measure.
Off cousre there will be teething problems in the initial stages and as soon as this is over GWU will start to negotiate a collective agreement. I URGE ALL to wait and see what will happen. GWU can only promise it will give the best service to all its members
Emanuel Seguna
Jul 3rd 2011, 00:39
Kulhadd fetah halqu u qal l-oppinjoni tieghu. Fejn kien hemm ukoll min hadda kontra dawn ix-xuffiera. Kiku l-arriva kella kundizzjonijiet tajbin u kienet preparata biz zejjed ma kienx jinqala dak li inqala.Ghamlu sejha ghal haddiema hafna drabi u darba minhom jien ukoll mort u applikajt , gibt il kondotta mort naghmel it test li talbuni u ghadejt imma xhin gejt biex nifirma il- kuntrat ma accejtajtx ghax apparti li taqbad ma xi 10.200 euro dawk int trid taqta minhom u paga ikollok mal LM1.60 fi siegha fid dejk. Mela dan worth it jew.Biex trid tahdem 45 hrs fil gimgha meta tkun split shift ifotijlek gurnata. Ma tista tikompara it trasport ta tal linja li kellna qabel ma l-arriva ghax hafna mit truckjiet kinu taghhom u kinu id ddawruwa tajjbe u kuntetni bi xoghol taghhom. Dawn ha ikunu qed jahdmu ghal ftit flus u ma nies. Ghalhekk jien nghati parir li min just kemm qed jaqra ma jindahalx u jigudika lil dawn ix xuffiera jekk tahseb li mhux qed jghamlu sew morru applikaw inthom u tar jekk toqodux ghal dawk il kundizzjonijiet. Tinkiwitax jekk ma ghandekx licenzja biex is suq ta linja , l-arriva tghinek iggib il licenzja imma jekk titlaq qabel sena trid thallas massimu ta 1000 euro penali li titnaqas bi pro rata kull xahar.
Ta min is semmi li min mindu dahlet l-arriva il park and ride issa bil flus ukoll,
Well Done an other state of the art
Mr Joseph Cauchi Senior
Jul 2nd 2011, 22:39
Wouldn’t it not be a good idea if those exponents that we have just witnessed in this video be politely removed from the rest of the work-force in order for the company to move forward?
Who in his right frame of mind would want such “characters” to form part of his work-force, when we all know what one bad apple can do to a whole crate?
JC.
henry spiteri
Jul 2nd 2011, 22:18
these are the last heart beats of the old service
Philip Murray
Jul 2nd 2011, 21:52
May I suggest for the good of the country you go to work tomorrow....
Carmela Mercieca
Jul 2nd 2011, 21:28
Many bloggers put pen to paper just for the sake to vomit their bile against workers who agreed to a contract with conditions and wage that were decided by the Arriva management.
Now because they are not finding enough drivers, management decided to change one of the conditions in the contract without any discussion. In industrial relations law the workers have a right to take actions against the Arriva in breach of contract and the company be in breach of law if they discharge any worker because they protest about unilateral decision taken by management. It is the company who is not keeping to the agreed contract and not the drivers.
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 2nd 2011, 22:56
Arriva is not in breach of contract. They agreed to nine hours of work each day which includes a one hour lunch break. With two four-hour shifts, that's what they will be working! Those who do not show up for work tomorrow will in fact be in breach of contract and should be fired. Management has the right to set schedules, not the bus drivers. As long as they don't force them to work longer than nine hours on any day, they have the right to schedule bus drivers as necessary to provide good service tot he consumer. If drivers are asked and volunteer to work longer than the contracted for nine hours, then they should be paid overtime. Very simple really.
Dominic Watson
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:58
How are there problems with recruitment... how many unemployed people are there in Malta again? Enough people to rotate shifts and keep supermarkets open 24:7!
Lets forget silly created jobs like checking tickets when it's obvious everyone has paid...
Charles Micallef
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:21
1, Someone at the GWU needs to communicate better with their member drivers, as /he or she is making the GWU sound incompetent and very distant from their members, actions speak louder than a lot of empty words!
2, One would have thought that Arriva's office management would acted more proffesional and would have a better system of issueing rotas etc. they had more than enough time to prepare themselves!
.........................and if that happen this circus act would have never occured
Michael Vella
Jul 3rd 2011, 01:37
Have you even considered the fact that some of the people involved are the same highly educated, stubborn and hard headed ex bus drivers, whose reputation has impressed all of us over the years and who will listen to nobody but themselves...the GWU, the Prime Minsister, Joseph Muscat the Management of Arriva, the Dalai Lama and even the Pope would have a hard time communicating with these people.
j. catania
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:07
jien vera ma naqbilx mas-sitwazzjoni tal-arriva u ma naqbilx ghal-zewg ragunijiet...
1. Tal-linja is-sofor kienu bicca mil-heritage ta' Malta u hafna mit-turisti kienu jigu hawn Malta biex jirkbu tal-linja ta' Malta. B'dawn tal-Arivva ser jitnaqsu it turisti.
2. Jekk tal-Arriva ser tkun gholja ( 1.50 jew ma nafx kemm ) in-nies ser ikunu jipreferu immoru bil-karozzi tahhom minhabba il-flus u ghalekk il-pollution tad dinja tkompli tizdid u mux titnaqqas
jekk il-drivers ma jahdmux ikunu qedin jamlu sewwa ghaliex dan ifisser li iridu il-gid lil pajizna .. issa fidejkom
Mr Joseph Cauchi Senior
Jul 2nd 2011, 19:32
Let’s hope not that “Qundo una cosa nasce storta, muore storta” be the case!
We must be optimistic that all teething-problems are thrashed out and this bus service will run smoothly to all the benefit of the local commuter.
We have been regaled with a third-world class service for all these years; and now that there is light at the end of the tunnel, let us not let some “trouble-makers” have a field day!
Is it too late to separate the wheat from the chaff?
Good Luck Arriva, you’ll need it!
JC.
Mark Jones
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:03
All very well , Mr Cauchi, if you live in an area where the bus service is being improved, or at least not reduced. Our service has been decimated and Arriva will not even reply to e-mails.
As for 'light at the end of the tunnel,' would that be the Tigne tunnel which Arriva is refusing to use?
Transport Malta OUT
Austin Gatt OUT
Arriva OUT
Ganni Sciberras
Jul 2nd 2011, 19:30
Issa naraw kem ha tahdmu ghada ha naraw x gej!
JOSEPH mercieca
Jul 2nd 2011, 19:26
ARRIVA SHOULD NOT HAVE ACCEPTED ANY OF THE OLD DRIVERS THEY ONLY KNOW TROUBLE AND THEY LL NEVER CHANGE .THE G.W.U ASKED YHEM TO GO TO WORK TOMORROW AND THEY SHOULD ACCEPT .WE THE PUBLIC SHOULD PERSEVERE AND SUPPORT ARRIVA .
Fran Abela
Jul 2nd 2011, 19:25
Good for you GWU - let us hope that these 'angry' drivers will listen to you. One thing that has come out of all of this is that Arriva should have never employed the 'naughty' bus drivers because they will spell trouble as one could see. I foresee that in future these 'angry' bus drivers will still be 'angry' at some thing or another and Arriva would do well to nip in the bud anyone who causes trouble. They are also jeopardising the employment of the other bus drivers. We commuters thank them once again for disrupting everything and not giving us the opportunity to have a decent bus service. But then they never bothered about us so what is new. I must admit I had high hopes for the new bus system but seeing these troublesome elements, makes me have second thoughts because apparently the primary aim of these 'angry' bus drivers, is to disrupt the system and I have a feeling it will go on if Arriva does not discpline the ones who misbehave. Again, lest I be misunderstood, I am not saying that bus drivers should not have good wages and working conditions but then it is up to their union to see that their conditions of work are not trampled upon and wherever possible improved. I wish Arriva good luck - they are certainly going to need it.
Malta Blogger
Jul 3rd 2011, 07:52
AHJAR BQAJNA KIF KONNA???? ....issma ahna 2011 ta qedin nghixu mhux 1900 ghax dawk hekk kienu qijsom comeee onnnnn
Luke Spiteri
Jul 2nd 2011, 19:18
tahdem 12 hrs ghal €35.00???????? these drivers have a private life also to live.
Barra minn hekk f'certu lokalitjiet ma gewx installati l-ebda tabelli dwar kif ha tghaddi tal-linja!!
Overall....ahjar bqajna kif konna. Prices gholjin, servizz xejn specjali milli kellna.
Arriva preparation 0% - prosit lil management.
eeeee bye the way...cempilt customer care u hallejt risposta darbtejn imma hadd ma ikuntatjani lura. THAT's CUSTOMER CARE.
HOPE ARRIVA NEVER WILL ARRIVA
Gianfrancesco Buttigieg
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:18
Aqra l-artiklu
"split shifts do not mean a longer shift than the nine hours agreed to. For example, the shift might have the first half starting at 8.00, finishing at noon, with free time to return home or do whatever they like, returning for the second part of the shift between 3.30 and 8.30 p.m."
"it had negotiated compensation of €35" (compensation - over and above il-paga)
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:31
Can't you read? They weren't being asked to work 12 hrs. They were being asked to work nine hours (with a one break for lunch) split into two four-hour shifts!
Arriva preparation 100% Some bus drivers commitment to good service - 0%
Arriva will arrive and those malcontent bus drivers who are used to doing what they please and how they please should be fired on the spot!
Mr Peter Barbara
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:40
Aghti daqsxejn cans, Sur Spiteri jahasra, ghadu lanqas bed is-servizz u diga qtajtlu rasu !! Overall...ahjar bqajn kif konna ??..Ghadhom lanqas bdew, kif tista tghid ? Ghat-tabelli qed tghid ? Ilna dan iz-zmien kollu mhux bla tabelli , bla xejn, ghallinqas dejjem hekk nismaghhom jghidu il passiegra tal- korozzi tal linja l-antiki. Tkellem wara li jghaddu xi tletin sena ohra..kif ghamlu in-nies li qaghdu jissaportu bis-servizz l-antik mela qabel ma jibdew.
Jeremy Lanfranco
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:42
Nope!! The shift allowance of 35 euro is over and above the salary. Just for breaking a day into 2 shifts of Maximum 9 hours for both shifts. These bus drivers are asking to work a full 8 hours and head back home.
Mr M Cachia
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:43
1 - It's Euro35 extra on top of the pay
2 - You'll find that a lot of signs are being put up overnight
3 - Prezzijiet gholjin - who are you kidding, we were paying full price throughg our taxes already thank you very much
4- Preparation 0% - Sure buddy - I've sent you Maths for Dummies as a free gift in the post
5 - The company is most probably overloaded. Depending on how urgent/stupid your question is you will be replied too. That's the way it works everywhere else.
6- Arriva has arrived and the island has let off the proverbial sigh of relief.
Mr M Mamo
Jul 2nd 2011, 21:22
int taf taqra jew ma tafx a?! ha jahdmu 9 sijat kif skond il-ligi ... il-kumplament huwa break!
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 3rd 2011, 00:25
ma fhimt xejn.
35 euros huma addizjonali.
Hawn hafna haddiema, specjalment fit-turizmu, li jahdmu split shifts.
Pajjiz taz-zuffjett.
Min ma jridx jahdem....barra!
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 3rd 2011, 00:26
jaqaw int xi xufier tal-karrakki li kellna?
Tonio Bone
Jul 2nd 2011, 19:16
Bottom line, why did ARRIVA change the drivers' roster? Have they managed to recruit enough drivers to manage the fleet? I really don't find any other motive for this to happen as such things, especially those agreed with unions and with the drivers themselves when they signed their engagement contract, are not changed or altered just before the word go! Something is most certainly amiss here!
susan pace
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:33
not enough drivers perhaps Mr Bone?
E. Cardona
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:34
HEY Arriva will run by those guys who were in the comitee of Owners Company A T P from office to the bus drivers.So nothing is changing .......
Charles Micallef
Jul 2nd 2011, 18:59
It does look as if some of the old bus drivers mentality still persists in the new public transport service, one have to watch the video published by TOM and can decide for themselves!
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:33
Right on! The old bus drivers still think they are running the show and that they can do as they please. They should two the line or find some other job. Those who do not show up for work tomorrow should be fired immediately for breach of contract.
Mark Piscopo
Jul 2nd 2011, 18:58
Gheziez haddiema tal linja, obdu mil istruzzjonijiet tal-GWU u idhlu ghax xoghol. Ma tistax tbiddel ir -roasters f'daqqa.
Mr Anthony Borg
Jul 2nd 2011, 21:55
Usually, one eats "roasters"...
Joe Grech
Jul 2nd 2011, 18:55
Well done to the General Workers Union! Arriva operates in the U.K. Only yesterday I spoke to a couple who lived there for about nine years and they both said that Arriva does not have a good reputation over there. Hopefully it will be more efficient in Malta.
Hopefully also it will give due consideration to the welfare and health of its employees and not attempt to skin them life just for its own financial gain.
Mr Angelo Vassallo
Jul 2nd 2011, 18:53
QASSATA KBIRA OHRA tal-gwu
Mr Leonard Brincat
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:10
Jekk din qassata tal GWU tal gvern x'tghidila qassatun
Deo Catania
Jul 2nd 2011, 20:51
x'int thawwad? taf taqra bhan-nies? tispikka l-injoranza f'certi nies, prosit.
David John
Jul 2nd 2011, 21:53
Bil fors siehi ghax tal-UHM qatt ma jaghmlu xejn. Ta' l-anqas tal-GWU jaghmlu qassata.
Please choose the reason of your report below: