Industrial action that could have disrupted the public transport service was averted yesterday when Arriva and the General Workers’ Union agreed to leave the matter in the hands of the Industrial Tribunal.

Arriva proposed that the matter should be referred to the Industrial Tribunals Department for a final ruling

The union said in the morning it had initiated industrial action against Arriva, the public transport operator, and instructed bus drivers to refrain from selling tickets or accept payment from commuters at stipulated times from Monday.

The GWU did not identify the hours.

It said it ordered industrial action after talks with Arriva over its decision to reduce payment to employees for public holidays fell through.

The union said the bus service operator was intransigent over the issue even after a meeting with the Industrial Relations Director and “that’s why the situation escalated”.

Until March 19, Arriva paid its employees double and gave them a day off in lieu for work on public holidays but drivers were now being offered either option rather than both, the GWU said.

Arriva told the union it was changing its payment structure based on a Works Regulation Order for public transport.

In a joint statement last night, Arriva and the GWU said they met to try to solve the situation.

“Arriva, as both a responsible employer and provider of public transportation in the Maltese islands, made a proposal to the General Workers’ Union that the matter should be referred to the Industrial Tribunals Department for a final ruling and that, in the meantime, it would make payments to its employees in line with the expectations of the General Workers’ Union,” they said.

Arriva said it believed that the arrangement ensured the continued provision of public transport services, which was paramount.

The union confirmed its acceptance of the offer and both Arriva and the GWU signed an agreement to abide by whatever decision was finally made by the tribunal.

Consequently, the union lifted the industrial action.