Arriva employees will not be wearing their ties because of the heat, under instructions from the General Workers’ Union.

The directive came as bus drivers continue to complain that not all the vehicles they drive are air conditioned.

In a statement, the GWU expressed its surprise that Transport Malta had objected to the union’s request for shirts to be worn open-necked.

The union said it was unacceptable that certain employees were allowed to report to work without a tie, while others were not, especially when the heat was felt by everyone.

The decision comes after a number of bus drivers broke their ties with the GWU and formed their own union.