Public transport operator Arriva and the General Workers’ Union yesterday agreed to postpone the planned summer bus schedule until the end of June to allow time to discuss the drivers’ roster.

It is the intention of all parties to continue working together in partnership to deliver high levels of service to the people of Malta

The decision was taken following a reconciliation meeting that was called after the GWU gave notice of an industrial dispute unless the company withdrew the summer roster that was meant to start on Sunday.

The two sides met for almost three hours under the chairmanship of the director of Employment and Industrial Relations, Noel Vella.

The union had complained that it was not even consulted when Arriva drew up the “inhumane” working hours that included shifts as long as 13 and 14 hours.

In a statement last night, Arriva said that during the meeting it was “unilaterally agreed that the implementation of the summer transport schedules will be postponed” until June 30.

“This postponement will allow further work to be done on the development of the drivers’ working patterns, which will, in turn, provide an enhanced service to the customer in the delivery of the revised service patterns across Malta this summer.

Drivers had complained about ‘inhumane’ working hours. Photo: Chris Sant FournierDrivers had complained about ‘inhumane’ working hours. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

“It is the intention of all parties to continue working together in partnership to deliver high levels of service to the people of Malta,” Arriva said.

Bus drivers who spoke to Times of Malta had complained that the new roster meant that they had to work 13- or 14-hour shifts with a split-shift while getting paid for just eight hours.

They said that the underlying problem that led the company to introduce such a roster for the summer period was not having enough bus drivers to meet the demand.

For more information on the summer bus schedules visit www.arriva.com/summer2013 and www.arriva.com.mt/summertime.

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