Update on support for strike below – In view of today’s public transport strike, AD’s spokesperson on transport, energy and infrastructure, Ralph Cassar, said, “Alternattiva Demokratika stands four square behind public transport workers at this point in time. Public transport cannot and should not depend on poor conditions of work.”

“During the past weeks we have all been hearing about the difficult and unacceptable work conditions for public transport employees. The lack of proper breaks and the split shift system which management has been insisting on signifies negative effect on these workers’ families and their work-life balance. We cannot not notice the low wages, slightly above the minimum wage threshold – which is not enough for any worker, let alone those providing a public service.”

He added that, “all this justifies the industrial action being taken, given that negotiations with workers’ representatives have failed.”

Alternattiva Demokratika reiterated that the “poor conditions in the public transport sector are unacceptable, both for the workers in the sector and also for service users.”

“When the worker’s dignity is not respected he cannot deliver an adequate service. An efficient and effective public transport system also means good working conditions and adequate compensation for those who operate such and important public service,” AD concluded.

Update:

Communists support Transport strike for better working conditions.

The Communist Party of Malta has expressed its’ solidarity with Malta Public Transport workers in their struggle for better working conditions, healthier working environment and for an improvement in their wages.

“The Government should take the advice of the new leader of UK Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn who intends re-nationalisation of the railways transport network. In UK Nationalisation of public services will assure better working conditions for the workers, affordability of the service, and a better service for the public,” stated the Communist Party of Malta.

Solidarity with striking bus drivers – Moviment Graffitti

Moviment Graffitti has expressed its full solidarity with striking bus workers and said that it is hereby calling for the State to take over the Maltese public transport system.

Moviment Graffitti stated, “all those who have at heart principles of social justice should stand behind the bus drivers’ strike even if this affects them negatively on a personal level. It is clear that working conditions imposed by Autobuses de Leon fail to meet the basic minimum requirements for dignity at the workplace. A strike is the only tool available for bus drivers to fight this injustice and reclaim their rights.”

Moviment Graffitti also stated “we believe that that the public transport should be nationalized. The State should take full ownership, responsibility and management of the system and end this absurd situation of inefficiency, waste of public resources and abysmal working conditions that has been ongoing for the past years.”

“Currently, the State is injecting millions of euros in subsidies to a private company that is providing a low-quality service as well as mistreating its workers. Government should start considering public transport as an essential public service on the same level of health and education. It should thus heavily invest in a non-profit driven system so as to guarantee an efficient service and decent working conditions.”

Moviment Graffitti concluded by saying that “Nationalisation also means that the State would be receiving all revenue generated by the system, instead of subsidising private companies and getting nothing in return.”

Photograph: Alain Salvary

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