Talks to end the indefinite strike by TIB bus drivers that started last Friday finished with further recrimination on Wednesday.
After eight hours of discussions, the SATI union and the employers were apparently close to formalising a preliminary agreement, but the employers' representatives left the table and the union accused them of "fleeing like rats".
The union said: "After more than eight hours of discussing every point of a pre-agreement, we had reached a text that only needed to be signed. At that moment the employers' association began to split, ultimately causing a rupture. They abandoned the table and left without giving further explanation.
"They fled like rats, without thinking about the consequences. Thousands of passengers are stranded every day at bus stops due to the greed of business owners who have come from the mainland to plunder the administration while providing terrible service. We feel deeply ashamed to work for this rabble."
The SATI believes the operating companies "are playing games with the government". "It's time for the government to consider internalising the service and prevent these types of companies from managing our public transport, as it is an essential service for citizens."
The mobility minister, José Luis Mateo, said on Tuesday that the government has done "everything in its power" to help the parties reach an understanding and demanded "maximum responsibility" from both parties to reach an agreement that would allow the strike to be called off.
The union is now urging President Marga Prohens "to take action on this matter and not look the other way". "Stop allowing them (the employers) to mock transport users any longer. We trust that you will be able to make them see reason."
The strike over pay and working conditions, which began with one-day actions on July 18, is subject to 60% minimum service levels.