Thursday, 17th July 2008 - 18:57CET
UPDATED: Transport strike ends. Sector 'has accepted liberalisation' - Gonzi
A four-day strike which brought public transport to a standstill ended this evening, with the Prime Minister declaring that the sector had accepted that liberalisation was the way of the future.
The end of the dispute was announced by Dr Gonzi at a press conference held minutes after Transport Federation President Victor Spiteri sent an e-mail message saying industrial action was being called off. The buses resume services tomorrow morning. Some taxis will be back in operation tonight.
Dr Gonzi said the two sides had agreed to hold talks and consultations on liberalisation, with the first meeting due tomorrow morning.
"We can now concentrate on a leap in quality in public transport," Dr Gonzi said. "Consumers rightly deserve to get value for money."
The end of the strike appeared inevitable after the Malta Hearses Association late yesterday pulled out of the federation and stopped its own industrial action after agreement with the government. It was the granting of new licences for hearses which had sparked off the dispute.
Transport Minister Austin Gatt said that following the agreement reached with the Malta Hearses Association, he had phoned Mr Spiteri to discuss the position. Mr Spiteri then submitted a number of proposals.
The two sides agreed that with regard to the bus service, EU rules had to be followed and that liberalisation had to follow discussion and consultation. Consultation will start with a meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m. The government committed itself to hold consultations throughout the summer and take a decision by the end of the summer.
With regard to the minibuses, the government assured the sector that the current stock of 404 minibuses having more than 14 seats would be increased only after consultation.
The two sides agreed to go to arbitration on the €60,000 deduction of the subsidy to the bus service which the government imposed for each day of the strike. The federation has argued that in terms of an existing agreement, the government cannot deduct so much.
It was also agreed that a fresh tender would be issued for transport services from the Park and Ride to Valletta.
Dr Gatt said the road to liberalisation in public transport would now proceed at a faster pace.
"We want a national system based on routes which are determined by the needs of the people; replacement of the buses with new energy efficient vehicles; professional administration and a public transport system which would not be based solely on the buses but the buses would form part of an integrated system including ferries, trams and electric taxis," Dr Gatt said.
Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco said the strike had been a blow for tourism and some operators had even been considering halting operations in Malta. There was also a drop in air bookings and some cruise liners had considered taking Malta off their itinerary. He thanked all those who helped out and said no tourist was left stranded. "Today is a new day and we have to start rebuilding what we have lost," Dr de Marco said.
Dr Gatt said the Malta Hearses Association would be given funding of €230,000 which was calculated on the basis of possible loss of earnings and marketing to keep their market position.
As the Prime Minister made the announcement, buses started to leave the Valletta terminus, where they had been held by the police.
RSS
Comments
ike selective right of response
@ J.Artinelli missing the M
Well spotted!!! In your uninclusive little world the 'D' is probably hanging round your neck as you stand in the corner searching for the 'M' you dropped. Try D for Dyslexia and the educationally 'disadvantaged' and 'dismal' show in education. Try ‘doubtful’ commitment and ‘disastrous’ non-implementation. Try joining the inclusive world and wake up to a failing education system that puts our children at a ‘disadvantage’ with the rest of Europe. If you find that amusing and illiteracy numbers don’t concern you (though I have a feeling numbers are right up your street unless you conveniently choose to deliberately misinterpret them). Summer holidays are exactly the right time for parents to evaluate schooling and educational opportunities. Digest the fact that Maltese children are not ‘doing’ as well as they should be. Who has the 'M' for monopoly on failure I wonder . Right laughing matter that is Hah Hah!
I totally agree with your ideas regarding the dire need for Government to ENFORCE laws and regulations. Enacting laws in Parliament for the benefit of consumers is commendable, especially to promote social welfare. But unless laws are enforced by the Police, it becomes a futile exercise. The Police Force, with special regard to the Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE), must be given more facilities and resources to perform its duty to the utmost.
Where I differ with your otherwise valid arguments is your belief that liberalisation is being used by spin doctors as a brainwashing exercise and presented as the sole panacea for all economic maladies. Liberalisation is an important mentality that MUST be introduced into the service sector still burdened with the outdated system of being publicly subsidied and market-protected. Transport workers (and also Drydocks) and operators wrongly assume that Government owes them a living without needing to improve standards of service, productivity, work practices and ethics.
To change this outdated mentality - a lingering effect from former Admiralty dockyard worker philosophy that maintained that low productivity and pilfering would solely adversely concern the British taxpayer - is the real challenge to be tackled and overwhelmed.
(a) the price of the hearse itself is JUST A FRACTION of the cost of a whole funeral .. I dare say less than 10-15%.
(b) you will have little to shop around when you need a funeral
(c) What is a €70 reduction in the price of the hearse when then you will end up forking out €200 more on bearers, flowers, etc ?
(d) The situation of a funeral is more like when you are buying a tour, with prices "starting from" rather than a final price.
Given this, I fail to see how the end consumer will benefit so much. You go to Mr. X because his hearse is €70 cheaper than that of Mr. Y ... then you end up paying more because once you start chosing things you will not take care of the rest. How many people get a full quotation for a funeral before they actually chose from where to get the service??
In the transport sector, REGULATION will benefit more than liberalisation
............now with regards to the "scandalous" 230,000 euros ( less than the Wied Babu project) ; these were given by the government as a sign of "goowill" and part of the negotiations, where in this case the hearses GAVE UP their much loved monopoly with the condition that the Government gives them a slight push to help make up for the loss of profit they will undoubtedly face. Do I agree?? Of course not, I believe in Market forces.....but i do understand that taking in consideration the explosive situation we had and that the government has to include the 'social" aspect in everything it does there was no other choice.............it's called "Negotiations" and it happens all around the world!!
It's evident you've over-reacted at critics mentioning strike excesses by calling them conservatives, pseudo-democrats and union-bashers. Most criticism viewed on blogs expressed anger and disgust at strikers NOT BECAUSE they went on strike. They've every RIGHT to resort to industrial action as a LAST resort when discussions between both parties fail. What striking drivers absolutely have no RIGHT is to resort to illegal action.
Any level-headed person (you included) can distingish the dividing line between peaceful public protests and thuggery and loutishness. Intimidating commuters, boarding ferries to intimidate crew, ambushing and holding up buses, beating up drivers, stealing bus keys and leaving buses stranded, smashing windscreens, blocking public highways, shouting obscenities at, intimidating uninvolved drivers on duty wrongly regarded as strike-breakers and displaying macho tactics instead of acting like humans DOESN'T constitute legitimate protests. The protesters wilfully exceeded acceptable limits to create inconveniences and annoyance to commuters and government entities by FAR. These tactics applied through bullying attitudes and vociferous picketing constitute CRIMINAL behaviour.
Whether Dr Gatt displayed any intransigence is irrelevant: decency dictates that such over-reaction is unwarranted. Most respect Unions who remain faithful to their committments to protect worker rights and living standards without over-reacting.
It is REGULATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT that will make the consumer benefit. Whether therare 200 taxis or whether there are 750, I will only benefit if I am sure I will pay what I have to pay and not be overcharged. You don`t go to a taxi-stand and start shouting: "Hey, I want to go to Valletta ... who will take me for the lowest fare ??". You simply get there and take the first one in the rank, just like what happens everywhere in the world .... AND PAY ACCORDING TO THE METER.
So the ONLY GAIN for the consumer will be that LOWER and FAIR tariffs are set by the ADT (just like everywhere else) and METER USAGE IS ENFORCED, if necessary by spot checks (taxis having an indicating lamp visible from outside) and "wireless" vehicle monitoring systems to track movement and usage.
A taxi-trip is not something you shop around for. Its better to have 250 taxis following the rules than 700 in the current jungle
Where is the "D" ?
Or is that omission the fault of the government as well?
Remedy: Repeater class for you!
....................... these hypocrites are now kicking a fuss because 230,000 euros were spent to help the Hearses face the immediate Liberalistaion..............ara how funny...so the Hearses are no longer the "imsieken" and the "jahasra Gonzi x'qed jaghmillom" now they want to let them die without a dime!!! Aren't A.Daley and his ilk the same ones who have supported monopolies with such fervour?? Monopolies which cost us huge Millions?? But Millions for monopolies are OK.................. 230,000 euros to make sure the "imsieken" hearses don't drown are scandalous!!!!!!!
.............and where's Joseph in all this?? He went to a Kazin smiling and singing, called for talks and hibernated for a week!!!! Not even a bleedin' show of solidarity when Gatt's family was intimidated..................... nxt Sunday he'll go to a Kazin trying to take credit by preaching about love!!!!!! But as long as Joseph braaaavu and heeeeellluuu I suppose it's fine!!!!!!!
Can Dr. Gatt also give ME funding every time a new person enters my professions and starts competing with me for work?
@ ABC. (EFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ)
Shame the government is so slow to solve the literacy crisis. Maybe ΑΩ ABC can stand in as consultant to the clever clogs at the Education Division and guide them out of the Doldrums.
Different weights and different measures have been witnessed once again by our authorities who were uncapable of protecting ordinary citizens from thugs who transformed Malta into a sort of Beirut in its worse days.
I am ashamed at the way Police Officers offered no protection to the people carrying out their jobs and were beaten in front of them, one of whom saw 12 teeth being kicked out of his mouth amidst futile calls for help to onlooking police officers.
Our army was pushed down to the levels of boy scouts, the OPM was barged upon, roads closed even for ambulances, tourists shocked, flights missed and threats and actions more reminiscent of the far west witnessed.
Since the government decided to give thousands of euros to the hearse operators who kicked off this mayhem, can we also be informed what compensation we common people will be given ???
The government mishandled the whole issue which should have been brought down to earth on day one.
We expect some top level resignations. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!!
with Great Intellegece, All of the Maltin ta rieda tajba Thanks you for Your Professional way
you Done your Duty, You are a born Winner !
The PAR IDEJN SODI , OF THE PRIME MINISTER Were shown to those who had any,
doubt about Them,
@ a zammit
Relax buddy, be happy that this ended up, my Friend if you are not happy with the outcome
Hu Kalmanta or maybe a pinta !!! cis.........
E 2,300 is a hefty sum considering that each hearse owner is probably contracted for two funerals daily. And theirs is a going, never-dying (excuse pun) concern. I'm all for liberalisation in all sectors of the economy. However, it's difficult to ensure that hearse owners and their new buddies, rightfully recently granted a license, won't join forces to form a cartel to keep prices up. This factor wasn't taken into consideration when it was stated that the grant was calculated on the basis of possible loss of earnings. The cash prize given out of our taxes is purely a sop.
What particularly irks me about this so-called agreement is that while others sectors of society accept the concepts of a free market economy without making demands on government to subsidize them, the transport sector (which is heavily subsidised) was well aware that liberalisation is here to stay. That notwithstanding, the Transport Federation resorted to the most heinous, cowardly and illegal blackmail to bring the government to its knees.
My mind boggles at the thought of the fabulous cash prizes that taxi, minibus and bus owners will be awarded, in future, simply for giving their blessing to liberalisation !!
I'm being as politically balanced as possible. Labour apologists should understand that wild claims about drivers having being misled by pre-election promises are just crap. Every voter should have been aware that once Malta joined the EU, it had necessarily to abide by its laws and regulations. Liberalisation of the services sector is a sine qua non that MUST be enforced whether a PN or MLP government is in power, or whether one likes it or not.
Dr Gatt
Why have hearse owners who started the whole mayhem been singled out to receive a bonus E230,000 cash prize simply to accept the liberalisation process? Are other entrepreneurs who risk money in new ventures in a free market economy compensated likewise? During the strike you rejected as false a claim stating that hearse owners were being offered a sum to accept Government's offer to end the strike. Isn't the compensation offered the very same thing?
Presently, it costs a hefty E 2,330 in funeral expenses with the bulk going into the hearse owner's pocket. When ordering a hearse, one is obliged to include a minimum of 3 chauffeur-driven black taxis usually owned by the hearse owner.
If they break the law Punish them, don't molly-coddle them. They get away with enough as it is.
Thanks to Dr. Lawrence Gonzi --- Dr. Austin Gatt --- Dr. Mario Demarco
A formidable 'Trio'
The Winners
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shame on you Mr. 'Cowboy" Spiteri 'e la bella compagnia' of presidents
The Losers. Malta will not forget your fracass
Sh
I would like to know precisely how you would handle any impending liberalisation? Would you adopt the Mintoff/Sant style of trampling over people; destroying their careers and lives without a second's thought as to the effect your actions would have on their self esteem and families?
The PN in government has not been perfect but contrary to its predecessors (Mintorff/KMB/Sant) they have managed to get it right much more often than they got it wrong. The evidence of this is the leap in the quality of life we all enjoy.
Under the Mintoff regime there was no right to strike or take any form of industrial action! Just ask the bank employees, the doctors and the Cable & Wireless employees.
That is the big difference between the MLP and the PN. The MLP 'talks about it being "it targa tal Haddiema"' and the PN preaches it. There has only been one truly Social Democratic party in recent memory - the PN!
The consistency of its message and approach are all directed at improving our lot in life and the evidence is there for all to see and enjoy!
I never said I justify the stance taken by the public transport operators - in fact I condemn it without any reservation. What I meant was that with Austin Gatt's cowboy style of verbal confrontation one can only expect the other side to arch their backs and retaliate in what they think is the most effective manner. A wise negotiator would have seen this coming and put into operation a contingency plan which would have saved the country from the fracas that we witnessed this week. And if the government's end-all solution was to shower millions of our euros to appease the transport operators, why was this solution not offered earlier on? So, kudos to Gatt and the Government for bringing an end to the stike, but at what expense?!
One final word of appreciation goes to the Police Force who in swelthering heath protected us from a dozen of thugs. Your action is a clear signal and deterrant to anyn surviving bullies and thugs.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
Well done!
Many are complaining about the lump sum given to the hearse operators. I'm not happy with my tax used in that way either, but if it's true that they had an agreement to buy new vehicles in return for a continuation of their monopoly, and the government had to change that agreement, some compensation is only fair. In fact the mistake was to make such a promise in the first place.
One good thing did come of this - all those who hold a monopoly will now know that liberalisation is inevitable, and coming fast. Apart from that, if the persons arrested were the biggest troublemakers among the drivers, maybe now the rest of them will be able to clean up their image, though that's a tough job.
These events also highlighted the authorities' unpreparedness for tackling rioting and similar behaviour. I hope they will learn some lessons and are better prepared next time. Having said that, the idea of restricting the movement of these vehicles worked brilliantly.
As for the bus drivers, I hope they do not recieve one euro cent in some form of compensation or an amnesty from their fines, jail sentences. I hope the government keeps strong and maintains the 60,000 Euro/day reduction in subsidy. After all what did we get by subsidising the federation?
And please do not make your first gaffe Dr Gonzi! I hope that the "leap in quality" does not refer to the same thugs that drive the trakkijiet spewing fumes to passengers and public alike. I hope you are referring to a completely new breed of drivers. I reject the idea of rehabilitating our present drivers. We did that so many times even by sending them abroad for customer relations courses and the net result is ripping off tourists, thuggery, aggression, and road hogging. Our taxes can be better utilised and I cringe to the idea that i have to pay again the federation because they promise a 'leap in quality'.
Last but not least reject the idea of bus ticket increases. At least not for the foreseable future!
Actually, when I say "everyone", I mean the same bunch of semi-literate whingers - you can tell who they are by the lousy spelling and syntax. Now, where has this trait been seen before?
It would have been much more effective had they made a serious of 1 hour strikes. Most of the public and tourists would accept the need to strike in such a way.
Another thing that strikers in this country must learn is that striking is a right not a duty. I find it acceptable for associations and/or unions to refuse to protect stike breakers in the future. However, when strike breakers are threatened arrogantly or even physically the strike looses a lot of its effectiveness.
Please allow me to jot this down. What has Alfred Sant to do with all this?
If you read this, Dr. Gonzi (I'm sure he does), please note that many other people make investments with all the risk and no subsidies. It is unfair that, on top of taxing these people on the gain they make on their unsubsidised, risky investment, this money goes to subsidise capital for investments in areas protected by quotas and quasi-liberalisation. Especially if the recipents of these funds are thugs.
The police...well...Ive never seen policement plead with people on television or abroad. Pleading eyes and mother theresa hands whilst trying to make a point to sneering thugs is an image I will eternally have of the Maltese police. How sad.
Keep up the momentum: Next targets should be hunting and dry docks. Enough waste of our taxes.
Please stop posting nonsense.
How are we going to feel knowing that our young loved once are in the care of such drivers?
If Austin Gatt was the man he want us to to believe he is, he would have contingency plans upon contingency plans, before announcing his liberalisation intentions. As it is, the public paid dearly over the past 4 days, and they will continue paying in the future. Thankyou Gonzipn for another bungling effort. You are truly a safe pair of hands.
Victor Spiteri & Co had to concede defeat and accept that liberalisation is on the way... something which they insisted would not happen. How is that a victory for them??
About route buses:
The government must realise the only viable option is to phase out the present buses and introduce smaller ones (about twice the size of red minibuses) that work either with electricity and/or hybrids and even with solar panels on roof to partly power them. This recommended size would be suitable also in narrow village core roads.
Apart from that these should connect villages on a circular route.This means more frequent journeys true, but it means much less pollution. And is not buses stopping at 2100 hours as they do at present medival?
Finally bring back the train (in a new electric reincarnation) to Malta!
By the way, if you look at www.malta-surveys.com you will find some interesting polls about the current hot issue.
BUT it is obvious that they exaggerated, and signs should be given that such things will never be tolerated again. (not the strike, but the exaggerations).
Also, the government should see that bus drivers respect the environment and the air we breath. And should be forceful about this.
I am not a Pn Supporter, but hey ,hats of to Austin Gatt ...(and maybe his lucky stars ie Victor Spiteri!!!)
You stand NO NONSENSE and you proved that you are always ready to sacrifice yourself and bravely face any trouble that threatens the peace and security of our island.
I am sure that all those who reason will agree that you are an outstanding politician who puts the well-being of our country as a top priority in his agenda no matter what.
I hope that the other politicians especially those whose duty is to protect our island from being scorned at, and see that the laws of our land are not ridiculed (as in ILLEGAL immigration), will now follow your example. They are bound to fearlessly carry out their duty the way you do – with firmness and courage irrespective of the negative criticism they may receive.
Thank you Dr. Gatt.
yes that's a big victory...you have a problem, solve it by throwing more taxpayers' money at it!...old habits, die hard!
I have to see very soon to believe that the transport will be fixed, but by the loks of it this is a false Hope we have to wait and see!!!!!!!!
Weird question unless you are in the public transport industry. Obviously the industry solely feels the price. The consumer reeps the benefits completely without any price. The miraculous reason?....COMPETITION
Remember Internet Service Provides back in the day when there were so few ISPs. I pay less then what I did 4 years ago with a connection around 60 times better.
Competition causes the the companies which provide a public transport service to improve their standards, quality of service and decrease what they charge customers to be a cut above the rest. Thats what competition is all about.
And so the price of liberalisation is COMPETITION. The consumer wins in the end. And the public transport industry just has to work harder.
the goverment just set the grounds for more violent protests by not setting an example now they know that they can do more and get away with it.
ok tat tarzna destroy malta and we will pay you .
there is one fly in the ointment - the horrid cancer-inducing black smoke will start up all over again.
The last time (only about 8 weeks ago ) ADT tried to do something about it the bus drivers threatened to strike. This is the time to get them to get their buses right (and fit those fuel filters back again and stop using heating oil instead of proper diesel) - they wouldn't dare to be arrogant now..... go for it ADT , pleeeze
G
Liberalisation should include educational courses in customer service and driving.
PAR IDEJN SODI! MY FOOT.
Fresh tendor for the park and ride. I hope it goes to a fresh company who was not involved in this violent strike(probably the same company will get it)
New effiecent vechiles. Probably the Citizens will pay for them.
Hearses will get 230,000 Euros. For starting this mess.
Only 18 arrests.
SORRY THIS IS NO WIN FOR THE PEOPLE. They tried to demolish our country and we award them. Why don't we give them the George Cross too.
You never win when you deal with terrorists.
We had them on the ropes. what was one-two-three more days. They we're starving. They couldn't go another week.
They beat and stopped our emergency plan.
Austin you had them on the ropes you we're pounding the hell out of them, and then you got tired , winded, you backed off and they knocked you out.
Message that was sent, if you try to scare us,beat our soldiers, shove and hit the police. Wake up the minister at night. YOU WILL WIN.
How about the arrestes they don't get nothing. Let's give them 10,000Euros for each they we took thier freedom away. It's a PITY.
In reality, Austin Gatt gave in to their demands. Btw who are the members of the hearses' co-op? Eureka! They are the hearses' owners.
Game over.
High scorer:
Victor Spiteri (own goals)
@ carmen Caruana. you don't know when you're beaten do you? it's over honey and you better believe it!
Well done Austin and PM Gonzi. If these guys want to behave like civilized people and they are back to work, talking to them is fine. You have proved that it is not necessary to be heavy-handed at controlling an explosive situation. However this does not mean that prosecutions are stalled and fines not levied against law breakers. Justice should be done and seen to be done.
A lot of bellyachers like A Daley et al, are cut from the same cloth as the rebel drivers - they want it both ways but they are good at none.
Those who were wondering what the PM was doing in the last few days do not care whether he was working on securing a good deal for the shipyard workers when the 'yard is privatized. But then it is so easy to criticize. Maybe A Daley should be the next prime minister though judging from what he writes it is doubtful whether one can trust him to manage a garbage dump.
Thank You Austin Gatt for being firm and strong
Thank you Mario DeMarco for facing the taxi drivers in their own den
Thank you to the police force for not retaliating with violence.
IS- SEWWA JIRBAH ZGUR.
And to all those who criticised this goverment, you have your answer now. This is how this country should be governed, without using violence.
However, I ask myself, is this really over? I have a distinct gut feeling that the public has yet to hear about the whole story of what was agreed to around the mediating table. I have a strong feeling that the "iron fist" shown by the government during the past few days will actually soften out...like for example the scaling down of the fines imposed, Co-Op taking back its Park & Ride contract, and of course the non-payment of traffic fines issued by the Police.
I have also been informed from reliable sources that the new hearse permits have actually been issued to a very close relative of a current hearse permit holder... Is this so?
We should boycott the public transport and let them suffer.
What the government calls "liberalisation" will be a sellout, manoeuvring around the EU directives, pleasing the public transport operators, and fooling the public. Nothing will change except that the government will stick more money up the drivers' aXXes. Yes, consumers rightly deserve to get value for money, but will we really get a leap in quality in public transport? I doubt it.
Ha ha haj! So, how many times have we heard this from PN?
Hallina Gonz! Hallina Gonz!
Why did you not say the truth since before joining the EU. Now you say the EU this, and the EU that. You are using the EU as a smoke screen.
Hallina Gonz! You managed to fool less then 50% of us, and this time round you have your own manufactured problems!
You have promised a lot, you have delivered very little, and when things go wrong, you always have a plausible excuse for your failures!
Enjoy! Enjoy!
Still Privatasation of certian monopoly run sectors in Malta should becoming a reality.... I would ask Dr. Gonzi when is the liberalisation being enforced on Enemalta ??
Sincerely believe that this should have been done in January 2007 we are now in July 2008, what is happening as regards this sector ??. We need to have competition also in the Fuel Sector we cannot depend on one company providing fuel and dictating prices.
Thanks
Len Cole
Now that liberalisation is no longer an issue let's start an overhaul of the transport service. Let's think of a modern transport system with less pollution and more efficiency such as a metro system, or a tram or a kind of S-bahn or RER. As members of the EU we could use EU funds to build such a system. It's a shame that in today's day and age, travelling from Marsascala to Cirkewwa by public transport takes more than 2 hours.
If we want to have less private cars on the road and more use of public transport then we need efficient means which make it possible to arrive at our destination at least within the same time we take when we use our private car.
Otherwise we would have a status quo.
The loosers are definately the bus drivers who have created such a stir of anger against them and managed to loose a section of their "federation" of cowboys....not only was the strike despicable but even (as the Times editorial states) their reason was fudged and unacceptable, at best...........but thats over now and hopefully the drivers will be winners too when the service is liberalised and improved to match the people's expectations.......
The sure looser is Mr.Victor Spiteri ........as a Fed. President he is a complete failure
"We can now concentrate on a leap in quality in public transport"
Did he mean that bus drivers will have a magnum leap from the NEOLITHIC ERA to the TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY?
To add to my comments:-
I was listening to super1 news. I heard some of the mini-bus owners
speaking about the situation. I can't believe my ears what I heard. What
do you think that you do whatever you like? My appeal to the authorities is that
the court cases continue together with the bookings of traffic offencies.
A word to the taxi representative. He said that he don't know what year he is
living. But I tell him that we already lived those years of shame. And for the past
days we lived those days, Mr. taxi representative.
I repeat the same words:-
SHAME ON ALL THE THREE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNIONS
The ATP have already requested that the Eur60,000 subsidy deduction per day be cancelled or reduced.... what cheek !!! Such is these people's arrogance. The government should stand firm and be hard with these people. Otherwise we will go back to square one.
Victor Spiteri would do himself a lot of good and the country even better to resign.
How ironic... Flimkien kollox possibli... until the Hearse people left ATP high and dry !!!
So this "victory" by the man with the guts means that:
- the original hearse owners (11 vehicles) get a compensation of €230,000 between them - about €20000 each
- the minibuses will only be liberalised after consultation
- the route buses will practically be helped again to modernise (how many times have we heard this?). Routes which cater for the need of the people means that either they will be loss-making since they would cater for new zones (hence subsidised) or else these zones keep getting ignored
- park and ride tender issued again (giving the co-op another chance)
Practically the ONLY WINNERS are the NEW HEARSE OWNERS who got their licences thanks to the compensation WE paid to the original permit holders. Maybe Dr. Austin could be a winner too one way or the other BUT I FAIL TO SEE WHAT WE THE PUBLIC HAVE GAINED
Who is going to make good for the losses incurred by all during these four days???
Are the arrested drivers going to have their licences revoked once and for all???
Do we expect smiling drivers tomorrow??? A more efficient service???
A bunch of losers...but i doubt they learnt anything. Now is the chance for ADT to impose more authority over these drivers and their vehicles.
These drivers owe us an apology, and those negatively affected by their irresponsible actions.
To the people the rise and surcharge and no tax ceiling deductions.....for the few disturbing the nation money is no problem as now supply is full with the new surcharge.....
Thanks Austin.
Thanks Lawrence.
Expected that you will do much more !!!!!
Other than the need for this clarification, I have no problem saying good job to the Government
Hope springs eternal...
Hope springs eternal...
>Game over.
>
>High scorer:
>Austin Gatt
Couldn't have said it any better
that was not the way the government had to treat this issue, hope that he learned something....
well done for the protests and for not being passive....
The police should investigate who was behind all this fracass.
OK. Well done to all those who worked so that the strike is over.
But who is going to pay for the damage done to the Maltese economy. Who
is going to give an answer about the violence created by such persons?
I hope not the Maltese in general by their taxes?
The presidents of all the unions affiliated to the transport association
should give an explanation to the Maltese people. Such an explanation
is awaited from everyone.
Hope that this serves as a lesson to all unions that as Dr. Gonzi said we are a civilized country and discussion around a table and not by terrorizing the country!
By the way any resignations in the pipeline from the Federation?
High scorer:
Austin Gatt