Public transport strike leads to widespread disruption

A strike called by the Public Transport Federation led to widespread disruption in July 2008, blocking the main roads of Malta for several days and even resulting in a number of violent clashes. The conflict arose over the liberalisation of the granting of licences to hearse operators, generating concern among other transport operators of a more extensive liberalisation of the public transport system. The strike ended after the government reached agreement with hearse operators.

Background to dispute

On 12 July 2008, Malta’s Public Transport Federation (FTP) called a strike with effect from 14 July. The federation brought together six associations: the Public Transport Association (Assocjazzjoni Trasport Pubbliku, ATP), representing route buses; the Gozo Bus Owners’ Association; the Mini Buses’ Co-operative; White Taxis Amalgamated; Blue Grotto Boats; and the Motor Hearse Association. Prior to the strike, each of these associations had enjoyed a monopoly, whereby competition from potential newcomers was stifled due to regulations or numerus clauses – that is, rules providing for restricted numbers in the industry.

Before the strike, the government had embarked on discussions with ATP concerning a long-awaited radical reform of the scheduled bus service.

Strike over granting of hearse licences

The indefinite strike was announced by FTP in protest against the government’s decision to go ahead with the liberalisation of the granting of licences for hearses. The monopoly which had been in place in this industry since 1959 had limited the market to just 11 hearse operators.

Meanwhile, an application for a ban against the issuing of new hearse licences was filed in court. However, the application was turned down, leading to the issuing of five new licences on the third day of the strike.

The strike initially took the form of road blockades, particularly on those leading to the capital city of Valletta and to the airport. However, matters escalated out of control when vehicles providing an emergency service were attacked and vandalised, while a number of unscheduled bus service drivers were physically assaulted, in one case in front of passengers. Moreover, on the first day of the strike, a group of drivers attempted to push through a police barricade protecting the office of the Prime Minister.

The violent attacks led to the government’s suspension of the emergency service in question, as well as the refusal of other private service providers to continue operations. As a result, thousands of tourists were left stranded, while hotel operators were forced to organise their own transport means for clients.

Meanwhile, the police were deployed in full force, to the extent that even pending investigations were suspended throughout the duration of the strike. Gradually, the authorities managed to take control of the situation on the roads. By the fourth and last day of the strike, they had arrested and prosecuted 17 people. Prosecutions were still continuing in September and fines are being issued to all those who blocked the roads illegally.

Strike ends in agreement

In the early hours of the fourth day of the strike, the Motor Hearse Association reached an agreement with the government and ceased its affiliation with FTP, thereby ending its participation in the strike. The association stated that it did not agree with the use of violence against people or vehicles and that it had never wanted to ‘cause damage to the country’. As part of the agreement, the government agreed to pay €230,000 to the association to enable it to prepare for the liberalisation of the market.

As the main reason for the strike no longer existed, FTP called off its industrial action within 24 hours and agreed to continue discussing the issue of the liberalisation of public transport services.

Government reform proposals

The government’s position is based on a document entitled ‘Public transport in Malta – A vision for public transport that fulfils public interest in the context of environmental sustainability’ (It-Trasport Pubbliku f’Malta – Viżjoni għal trasport pubbliku li jaqdi lill-pubbliku f’kuntest ta’ sostenibbiltà ambjentali). The document recommends a reform of the public transport system to allow for more efficient transport services in the different regions of the country. Among other recommendations, it proposes buses of different sizes, services to peripheral regions and night services, even if these are not economically viable. Moreover, it proposes that the scheduled and unscheduled bus systems should be clearly differentiated. The document also recommends greater professional management and the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) throughout the different aspects of the system. The reform should ultimately lead to an increase in the use of public transport.

Reactions and aftermath

The reactions to the strike and the accompanying violent outbreaks ranged from calls by the major Maltese unions to return to the negotiating table, to outright condemnation of the violence and law-breaking by employer organisations. In addition, 19 judicial protests were filed in court against the associations belonging to FTP by tourism-related organisations and building contractors, who allegedly lost millions of euro as a result of the strike. However, the most vociferous reactions against the strike came from the general public via the media, including through internet blogs, some of which were specifically set up for this purpose.

Noel Camilleri and Manwel Debono, Centre for Labour Studies