Public transport drivers protest about split shift system

A number of drivers recruited by Arriva, the company taking over Malta’s public bus service from 3 July 2011, did not report for work on their first day. They claimed the split shift in their rota was not in line with the conditions of work they had originally agreed with the company. Representing them, the General Workers’ Union adopted a very placatory tone, trying to reach a temporary agreement with the company while negotiating a settlement that is agreeable to the drivers.

Background to dispute

As of 3 July 2011, British-based company Arriva took over the public bus service in Malta.

This takeover was expected to transform public transport in Malta; the buses imported by Arriva were technically superior to the ones used previously, the drivers were to be better trained and the bus routes were completely overhauled.

On the first day of its operation, about 60 drivers (the number reported in the press varied) recruited by Arriva did not turn up for work. This came after they had taken part in an intensive training programme organised by the company.

Their complaint was about the rota, which consisted of a split shift of 12 hours.

The drivers claimed this rota, given to them the day before they were to start work, was not in accordance with the conditions of work they had agreed with the company. One driver said that according to their contract they were obliged to work for eight hours and then clock out.

Some drivers, expressing a sense of betrayal, carried their uniforms in paper bags and said they had no intention of working with the company unless they were given eight-hour shifts as agreed in their contracts.

Impact of protest

The absence of these drivers from work together with the chaos caused by the new route system derailed the public transport system. There were several delays and a number of passengers were stranded when some buses failed to arrive. The trade unions appealed to all employers to excuse any employees who arrived late at work because of the bus delays and disruption to the transport system.

Union reaches temporary agreement

The General Workers’ Union (GWU), Malta’s largest general union, immediately started negotiations with Arriva management. It was agreed that by 17 July 2011, the union and management would come to an agreement about a new rota for drivers. In the meantime, a temporary agreement was reached on giving compensation of €35 to those drivers working on a split shift system that covers more than 12 hours.

GWU said it had Arriva’s commitment in writing that the rotas would be changed to suit the needs of the workers. This was confirmed by Arriva managing director Keith Bastow, who stated that the company had committed itself to change the shifts and duties of drivers by 31 July 2011.

Workers continued to protest

GWU renewed its appeal to all drivers to report for work and said discussions about their conditions of work were being held with management. This appeal was not heeded by the protesting drivers who still refused to cooperate. It was reported that on the following days they were joined by other drivers bringing the total number who did not report for work to 180 out of the 500 drivers recruited by Arriva.

Commentary

For Arriva, which operates in 12 different countries, the Malta experience was unique because it could not build on an existing infrastructure. Instead, Arriva had to start work with a new set of buses, new staff, a completely overhauled route system and a new network.

The paralysis caused by the drivers’ action further compounded the situation. However, the placatory stance adopted by GWU, which robbed the drivers of the legitimacy of their action, went some way towards easing the problems for the company.

Saviour Rizzo, Centre for Labour Studies