The government has rejected a proposal by the General Workers’ Union to list public transport as a non-essential service.
Public transport has long been considered an essential service
“Public transport was included in the list of essential services through a unanimous decision by Parliament,” a spokesman for the Justice Ministry told The Sunday Times.
In a wish-list distributed to the political parties for inclusion in their electoral manifestos, the GWU made a case for revoking the amendment that listed public transport as essential.
The proposal follows submissions to the Director of Employment and Industrial Relations, Noel Vella, in which the union said that following consultations held locally and abroad, it believed public transport should be excluded.
While it remains on the list, workers in the sector cannot take full strike action but if it is removed the GWU could potentially disrupt all services in case of an industrial dispute.
The union said it was preparing to present its case to the International Labour Organisation to prove its claim.
However, according to a government spokesman, public transport has long been considered an essential service and this was included in the law through a unanimous approval by Parliament.
Public Transport operator Arriva would not be dragged into the issue. Its spokesman said it was the operator, not the legislator. “Our role is to provide public transport services to the Maltese islands and we operate within the parameters and frameworks set by the regulating authority and in accordance with Maltese laws,” the spokesman said when asked for its stance.
The GWU is negotiating a new collective agreement for Arriva employees, despite a substantial number of its members resigning en masse to form their own house union earlier this month.
The union, however, claims many of these workers have since returned toits fold.
It is unclear how many have left but the GWU is still considered the sole representative of Arriva employees.
It recently issued directives for Arriva employees not to wear ties because of the summer heat.
Arriva employees who obeyed the directive were fined by Transport Malta, which contends the tie is part of their uniform.
A spokesman for Transport Malta confirmed 32 drivers were each fined €100, while another 32 were fined €25 each.