The end of the union recognition saga at the company running public transport has raised fresh hopes that a new collective agreement for drivers will be signed by March.
The optimism was expressed yesterday when Malta Public Transport finally granted official recognition to the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin – now rebranded as UĦM Voice of the Workers – following the UĦM’s long-drawn out battle with the General Workers’ Union.
Addressing the media at MPT headquarters in Qormi ahead of the start of talks on a collective agreement, UĦM CEO Josef Vella said negotiations were expected to be concluded within three months. The UĦM had last week ordered drivers to take industrial action, complaining that the company was dragging its feet on granting it majoritarian status, even after an official poll which confirmed it has more members than the GWU. The issue was resolved last Sunday.
Meanwhile, the remaining changes in the route network will be rolled out on December 20, the general manager of Malta Public Transport, Konrad Pulè, said.
Originally these changes had been planned over four phases starting from last September but were repeatedly postponed until last month when the first new routes were introduced.
The union’s rebranding, as well as changes in its organisational structure, are aimed at making it more service-oriented after 50 years of existence, CEO Josef Vella said yesterday.
The revamp was announced last week following a general conference in which delegates approved a series of radical changes in the union’s statute. Mr Vella, who in line with these changes is no longer president of the union but CEO, said section secretaries would no longer be chosen by ballot but through a selection process.
“This will make it easier to make best use of our members so that they would be deployed according to their strengths,” he said.
However, Mr Vella pointed out that his post, as well as that of the union director (previously general secretary), the highest two positions in the new hierarchy, would still be subject to an election by members.