Ferries on today but uncertain for tomorrow

People looking forward to the Nadur carnival should be able to travel to Gozo today even though the ferry service will be in “go slow” mode for the second day running since industrial action was taken against Gozo Channel company.

However, it is uncertain if the service can continue to be maintained into the carnival weekend.

The dispute is over salary arrears that Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin claims were promised to employees but remain unpaid.

Last night the union rejected a new proposal made to it over the phone by Gozo Channel management in a bid to solve the dispute.

But as a “gesture of goodwill” to Gozitans and people heading for the carnival, it will ensure that the ferry service will continue to operate today.

One of the directives to employees is not to replenish the ferries’ fresh water supply, needed for the machinery to function, and it is this that would prevent the ships from sailing.

Speaking after a late night meeting with the union’s transport section, Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin president Jesmond Bonello said at least one ferry had enough water to operate for the day. It was also probable that other ships would make the crossing too.

The union will now make new proposals to the management in an attempt to break the stalemate. In the meantime, its “go slow” directives will remain in force and action may be stepped up if the impasse persists, a union spokesman said.

The union refused to attend a conciliation meeting with the company yesterday on the grounds that it was only set up after Gozo Channel had been informed of the industrial action.

The union yesterday unexpectedly got the backing of the General Workers Union, which instructed its members at Gozo Channel to follow the directives. The GWU also appealed to both parties to resolve the issue amicably.

The National Youth Council expressed its “deep concern” about the negative repercussions of the industrial action and it too urged both sides to find a solution.

“The ferry is the main channel between the two islands used by hundreds of youths on a daily basis for work, study, health and leisure, among others,” the council said.

Slowing down or halting the ferry service during the carnival weekend would hit students and employees returning to Gozo, the council said. Also, hundreds of people were planning to attend carnival which was an important event for the Gozitan economy.

The issue revolves around a number of proposals made by the company on the employees’ financial package, which the union finds unacceptable. It claims the company is refusing to pay the employees their arrears, which had been promised to them when discussions over a new collective ­agreement were put on hold at the company’s request.