Updated: GWU, Arriva avert industrial action

The General Workers’ Union and Arriva this evening agreed to take a dispute over public holidays pay to the industrial tribunal. Industrial action has been called off. Earlier  the union ordered Arriva employees not to sell tickets or accept payment from commuters at certain times in the morning and in the afternoon. The issue cropped up after the company decided to reduce the pay given to workers on public holidays. The union said that it was available for talks but would not allow a deterioration of working conditions. Following a meeting between the union and the company it was agreed that the matter should be taken to an industrial tribunal for a final ruling. Arriva insisted that the payments being made to its workers were fully compliant with Maltese Law. The company said that until a decision was taken, it would continue to pay workers in line with the union's expectations.