Three collective agreements signed between Transport Malta and UĦM
The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Dr Ian Borg welcomed at his ministry Transport Malta and UĦM Voice of the Workers, along with union representatives who work with this same entity, in order for three collective agreements to be signed between the two parties.
Minister Borg began by expressing his satisfaction with these agreements, which will be improving the conditions of 565 workers of different roles and grades within Transport Malta. He explained how they will be benefitting from several improvements, including salary increases, more opportunities for career progression and social benefits aimed towards both the physical and mental wellbeing of employees.
Salary increase will reach an average of 2.5% for all employees affected by these agreements, which are valid for five years, from 2016 until 2020. Agreement conditions include increased flexibility, especially concerning the enforcement section, due to the exigencies of the work involved, while support services conditions will also become more flexible. Salary packages are aimed at rewarding those employees who have been working hard with this entity for a long time, while also aiming to attract new employees to take on the much-needed roles, to continue to improve efficiency. A junior managerial grade will also be introduced to facilitate the leap from one grade to another towards the progress of every employee.
Minister Borg also said that this was the first time that a collective agreement, specifically designed for Transport Malta architects, was being signed. The agreement will affect 25 architects from three different sectors within the entity and its aim is to incentivise architects to work hard towards the successful completion of more projects. This will be done through a financial reward system in the form of an allowance according to objectives reached for each project. At the same time, the architects’ agreement was also drawn to attract more architects to this entity.
Minister Borg emphasised that the signing of these agreements is a clear sign of government’s commitment to strengthen and improve work conditions. While he commended the employees present for their initiative, he also praised both the UĦM and Transport Malta for reaching an agreement for the benefit of all concerned. He thanked Transport Malta chairman James Piscopo, as well as his team, for working tirelessly towards the settlement of these agreements. Piscopo was one of the signatories of these three documents, together with UĦM director Jesmond Bonello and a number of other representatives and workers.
UĦM CEO Josef Vella also had words of praise for these workers who do this work voluntarily. He went on to express his hope that these agreements will lead to several positive results.