Bus drivers told to refuse to handle cash, ticketing machines; UĦM claims 56% representation

Bus drivers have been instructed by the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin to refuse to handle cash or ticketing machines with immediate effect.

The directive was ordered to press the company to recognise the UHM as the union representing the staff.  

The issue has been dragging for some time, with both the UĦM and the General Workers Union having made claims for recognition.

Addressing a news conference this afternoon, UĦM secretary general Josef Vella said The Department of Industrial Relations today gave the union the result of vote on representation taken among workers.

This showed that the UĦM had a 56 per cent representation. The union, he said, had been tracing the result for some time but it was  only given it today after it informed the department of its action.

Mr Vella said that in spite of the result, which the bus company had had for days, it still failed to give the UĦM recognition.

He said the union communicated with the company today but recognition was still being refused. The UĦM, he said, was prepared to drag on with its action for as long as necessary and did not rule out escalating it or taking the matter to a Constitutional or European court.

 “It is unacceptable...