HSBC Malta employees have resumed strike action after weeks of stop-start negotiations, as their union, MUBE, said the bank had failed to present a fair compensation package ahead of its planned sale to CrediaBank.

The strike, which first began on 22 September, saw workers ordered to log off communication channels and internal systems in protest at what the union described as the bank’s “wholly unacceptable” offer.

Talks mediated by the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) led to the temporary suspension of the industrial action on 24 September. However, the dispute quickly reignited two days later when union representatives said the bank’s revised proposal still fell short of expectations.

The action was put on hold again on 29 September, with the Malta Union of Bank Employees (MUBE) expressing hope for “a tangible workable proposal.” That hope has now faded.

In a statement on Monday evening, the union accused HSBC of showing “a lack of respect” toward its staff and failing to recognise both their long-standing contribution and the effort required to navigate the transition to new ownership.

As of Tuesday 7th October, MUBE has once again directed members to log off all communication channels, avoid internal meetings, and refrain from using bank systems. The union said that even non-members who choose to follow its directives will be covered by the action.

The standoff marks the latest escalation in the ongoing fallout from HSBC’s sale to CrediaBank, which remains subject to regulatory approval.