The General Workers’ Union will be ordering bus drivers not to work the new hours and routes they were asked to follow as from next Sunday, it warned Malta Public Transport (MPT).

In a statement, it said the new hours and routes were not those discussed and agreed between the two sides. So unless these reflected the discussions which took place in the past four months, it would not exclude taking suitable industrial action to protect the interests of its members.

The union said that the hours decided by the management were unrealistic and unacceptable and if drivers worked the proposed hours they would not be in position to take their break.

In certain instances, there were barely seven minutes from a bus arriving at its destination, unloading passengers, loading passengers and leaving again.

This was not enough to be considered a break. Delays would further reduce the 'break' between one trip and another.

The union said that although the management intended to implement the new routes and hours as from Sunday, it would be ordering workers not to work them.

This would affect service on Sunday and on the following days, the GWU said.

NEW DUTY PARAMETERS AGREED IN WRITING - MPT

But in a reply, MPT said the new duties formed an integral part in the improvements planned for the public transport service, including the first phase of the changes in the network planned for this weekend by the government.

“Despite having agreed in writing to these new duty parameters, the General Workers’ Union suddenly changed their position.

“Without these new duty parameters, the company will not be in a position to operate the first phase of the changes in the network planned for this weekend to the detriment of the public. Malta Public Transport will always do its utmost to minimise the disruption of services, but it cannot continue to accept to change what would have already been agreed to,” it said.

The company expressed its disappointment at the GWU’s sudden change in position, and called upon the union not to restrict these immediate improvements in the conditions for the drivers, and to allow the drivers to proceed with the duties as planned.