A strike ordered by the General Workers’ Union over a dispute about drivers’ break times and work rosters threatens to bring the bus service to a standstill today. Although the service is meant to return to normal tomorrow, GWU general secretary Tony Zarb warned yesterday further industrial could follow.

A last-ditch mediation attempt by Transport Minister Joe Mizzi last night failed to break the deadlock. The GWU said in a statement issued at about 8.30pm that three hours of talks had failed to find a solution acceptable to both. A government spokesman told this newspaper that, by law, the bus company was in duty bound to run an emergency service consisting of half the normal operations. However, the union insisted there would be no service at all today. It said no agreement had been reached over the 50 per cent service arrangement.

Malta Public Transport apologised for the inconvenience to the public.

It said the union had submitted a fresh proposal that constituted “a radical departure from the main parameters that had already been accepted during the negotiations”.

Malta Public Transport too insisted that by law at least 50 per cent of the service had to be given to the public. It said it would ensure that at least half of the staff on duty would carry out the service as usual. “The employees are also specifically bound to follow the instructions of the company in accordance with the law,” it said.

Both sides have been at loggerheads for weeks over new work rosters, which are part and parcel of the route network revamp set to be rolled out in four phases by the end of the year.

A fortnight ago, both sides were “very close” to an agreement but the deal collapsed over the interpretation of the terms of a 30-minute break for employees working eight-hour shifts or longer.

Bus drivers have rejected the company’s proposal to introduce five-minute breaks spread out during the shift. Instead, they are asking for a minimum 15-minute continuous period of rest.

As a consequence of the dispute, the first batch of changes in the route network that was planned to be introduced on September 13 had to be suspended.

We will only lift the industrial action if an acceptable written agreement is tabled to us in the coming hours

On Tuesday, the union had given the Spanish company running the bus service 48 hours to come up with fresh proposals or else face industrial action.

“All we received is an ambiguous letter from the bus company which is not acceptable to us,” Mr Zarb told a press conference at the bus terminus in Valletta yesterday. Consequently, the union instructed members at Malta Public Transport, including engineers and mechanics, to strike between 4am today and the time the last night trip was usually made.

The GWU acknowledged a full-blown strike would cause hardships to commuters but said the drastic measure was taken as a last resort following weeks of fruitless negotiations.

Company employees who are not members of the GWU are also expected to abide by the directive because the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin had pledged its support to the rival union in case it resorted to industrial action.

While acknowledging the decision to order a full-blown strike would cause hardships to commuters, the GWU said the drastic measure was taken as a last resort following weeks of fruitless negotiations.

Mr Zarb said the union would remain open for talks but only if a serious proposal was made. “We will only lift the industrial action if an acceptable written agreement is tabled to us in the coming hours,” he said.

The warned the GWU was not willing to resume talks just to avert the strike. “The time for talks is over. It is now time to act,” he insisted.

Mr Mizzi tried to broker an eleventh-hour deal but it fell through as both sides dug their heels in.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the Science in the City festival said the event would still go ahead as planned in Valletta starting at 6pm.