The bus service did not suffer any major disruptions despite a strike ordered by the UHM, and all routes were operated, Malta Public Transport said.
The company issued its statement an hour into the Union Haddiema Maghqudin's two-hour strike for bus drivers between 6 and 8pm.
However, the union also claimed its meeting for bus workers was a success with union general secretary Jesmond Bonello saying the union received complaints from commuters that the strike had affected the service. The meeting was held during the strike.
The union called the strike to press its claim for recognition by Malta Public Transport. The company currently recognises the GWU as the union representing the majority of the workers. The UHM wants a verification exercise.
Malta Transport has insisted that the strike was illegal because a court had temporarily upheld a request for a warrant of prohibitory injunction which stopped the verification process. Therefore, the strike would be in contempt of the court order.
But the UHM said the strike was legal and would go ahead. It said that, as a trade union, it had a right to order industrial action.
It accused Malta Public Transport of threatening workers with disciplinary action if they attended a union meeting during the strike.
Mr Bonello said more than 200 people attended this evening’s meeting, some of them in uniform and including drivers from Gozo. The meeting lasted two hours.
The main issues raised by the drivers were long breaks and a lack of double pay on Sundays. These problems were the result of a former collective agreement agreed with GWU, he said.
There were also health and safety concerns including tyres with flat thread which put them and their passengers at risk.
Mr Bonello said the union would embark on a risk assessment on vehicles, drivers’ shelters and lack of public conveniences next week.
He said the union would order drivers not to drive vehicles that put passenger safety at risk as the company was obliged to make sure vehicles were maintained and fixed if there were problems.
On the membership majority claim, he said the union was committed to verify which union enjoyed the majority. He said that, in a democratic country, drivers should have a right to choose which union to join.
The union, he said, drew up a strategy with the drivers, which did not exclude future strikes.
Earlier today, the Transport Ministry expressed its disappointment over the UHM action. It said the court had decided the way forward over the union recognition issue.
The ministry regretted that it appeals for this essential service not to be given further obstacles had been ignored.
The strike action, it said, was without basis and would cause needless inconvenience to hundreds of commuters. The ministry urged the UHM to drop its directive.
Malta Public Transport apologised to the public for any inconvenience the strike may have been caused.
It thanked all employees for their commitment and support and for offering their assistance to ensure the service operated in full throughout the strike period.