Lobby group to resign GRTU membership

The committee of the Republic Street Business Community Association have decided to resign en bloc from the GRTU, Association of General Retailers and Traders with immediate effect, after the GRTU decided the association could no longer use its premises, association president Victor Fenech Azzopardi said.

Speaking with The Times, Mr Azzopardi said the association had had strong ties with the GRTU for many years.

"Since the association was set up 15 years ago, we had been using the GRTU headquarters as our address and meeting place and we never encountered any problems. However, recently we received a laconic note from the president of the GRTU informing us it had been decided that the facilities offered to our organisation, including the use of the GRTU premises, were being terminated. This was very strange, especially since the council of the Republic Street Association were members of the GRTU."

Mr Fenech Azzopardi said no reason was given for the decision.

"I am very sorry to say we have been given no reason whatsoever. There had been many rumours but nothing concrete or official. Immediately we received the letter I wrote back to the GRTU president expressing my regret that we were never consulted or confronted about the decision. Along with the letter I posted back the key to the GRTU premises which was in our possession for 15 years. I believe that after having worked together for many years it would have been more prudent to treat us in a better way."

Mr Fenech Azzopardi added that if there was any problem, the GRTU should have confronted the association. "Normally when a family member has a problem with another member of the family, they talk and trash out the problem. I must say that the GRTU's behaviour leaves much to be desired from a union meant to protect the interest of small businessmen and retailers. The way the GRTU behaved in our regard is insulting."

He added that after this incident, the association found full support from the Chamber of Commerce.

"To be honest we had a number of offers as to where we could start functioning but we always preferred to have an address and a meeting place in Republic Street. I must express my gratitude and appreciation to Chamber of Commerce president Reginald Fava and the Chamber council for their support. I can proudly say that our new address now is at the Chamber of Commerce. We are honoured to have been given this opportunity."

Mr Fenech Azzopardi said the association already held its first meeting in the council hall of the Chamber of Commerce. "During the first meeting we discussed the situation and the council agreed to resign en bloc from the GRTU."

Mr Fenech Azzopardi said the association has expanded over the years.

"Initially the association was set up to take care of the Christmas decorations in Republic Street. However, we have now become a lobby group that meets regularly and holds regular meetings with different authorities and ministers to strengthen the potential of Republic Street. We have more than 150 members at present and we are committed to continue strengthening the association."

When contacted, director general Vince Farrugia was furious.

"We are all so busy trying to educate people about the EU and they are focusing on a petty issue as to where their address should be. We have not yet received one resignation from any of them: I only found out about their decision when you contacted me.

"This all arose because we had an arrangement that they could use the premises and they have in fact done so for many years.

"But over Christmas they started using the premises for other activities that were not part of the agreement, such as for storing equipment, rather than, as foreseen, for committee meetings. I am sure this issue could be settled in another way.

"The crucial decision about the EU is what should be taking up our time and energy right now," he fumed.