A long-running dispute between HSBC Malta and the Malta Union of Bank Employees (MUBE) is continuing to drag on, with the union accusing the bank of not having responded to an offer of mediation by the Office of the Prime Minister.

The stumbling block is pay. The union said that its pay demands are in line with inflation and projected positive growth figures.

The union said the bank's 'intransigence' was demotivating the workforce and it was also showing 'arrogance' by not responding to the union’s request for mediation following another offer by the OPM.  

The union insisted it would not reopen talks on sections of the collective agreement on which there was already agreement.  

Industrial action called by the union, including a strike, were called off on April 8 when the mediation offer was made.