A meeting involving the General Workers Union and Autobuses de Leon held at the Transport Ministry has averted further industrial action in the public transport sector.

The two sides have come to an agreement that all workers will be getting their dues by Saturday at 7pm.

A second meeting will be held on Monday to discuss the matter further, GWU secretary general Tony Zarb said.

The company mangement as well as Transport Malta officials, who also attended, did not want to give comments to the media.

GWU secretary generary Tony Zarb said that unless an agreement is reached, the union will order a strike tomorrow. There should be no twisting of words, Mr Zarb said. He added that workers have been told that they will only get paid if they do not strike.

In a statement, the union said that Autobuses de Leon's decision to pay its dues by 7pm shows how right the union was in the stand that it took and how misleading the company was in the statement it issued yesterday.

The union said this accord is a great victory for the workers, who should continue to remain united behind the GWU.

The union said it raised other issues during the meeting which, unless rectified, may also lead to industrial action.

Earlier

The General Workers Union said in a statement issued before the meeting it is prepared to escalate its industrial action at Malta Public Transport if no agreement with Autobuses de Leon is reached.

On Thursday, the union held a six-hour strike which it said was successful, and it is ready to take further steps unless the dispute is resolved.

A meeting is expected to be held with the company today in the presence of Transport Minister Joe Mizzi.

The union said it will not withdraw its position unless all the workers get their dues.

It thanked the workers for their cooperation and condemned the behaviour of some Union Haddiema Maghqudin officials and members.

 

Photos Michael Camilleri