The General Workers’ Union said today that its directive to Arriva bus drivers not to drive unless the air conditioning unit on their bus was working properly was aimed to encourage the company improve its service for the benefit of its workers and the public.

The union said it was not true that section secretary Charles Agius refused to meet Arriva managing director Mark Bowd or any other members of Arriva's management.

The union said that it had received many complaints from drivers and the public about how intolerable the service was when the air conditioning was not functioning. The buses were being compared to ovens and microwaves, it said.

The GWU said it could not accept the company’s arrogance and threats of industrial action and cuts in wages to drivers who had planned to obey the union.

This was condemnable and against the law, it said.

The union said it reserved the right to take any other action to defend the interests of its members and the public.

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