Tug Malta in dispute with GWU over new shift system

Tug Malta said a directive by the General Workers' Union to members not to work a new shift system was unjustified and illegal.

The system was laid down in a collective agreement between Tug Malta and the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, which the GWU considered to be null and void, Tug Malta said.

The GWU is insisting that it represents the majority of workers.

In a statement, Tug Malta said that yesterday the GWU directed its members not to report for work in line with the instructions in the new shift system. It maintained that this directive was in breach of the collective agreement.

The directive was issued after talks were held between the management and the GWU, Tug Malta said.

The company said various conciliation meetings had been held and the GWU had turned down proposals made by the management.

In a statement last night, the union said the company had wanted to implement the measures of the collective agreement despite an exercise that had confirmed the majority of employees were GWU members.

Faced with this situation, the union's maritime and aviation section had written to Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi asking for the case to be referred to the Industrial Tribunal.

But instead of letting the tribunal decide, the company imposed certain clauses and sought to bring in a new shift system as from yesterday.

The GWU said it had done its best to avoid industrial action, especially in referendum week. It had tried to reach a solution around the table by again asking Dr Gonzi for his intervention in the matter and by putting forward fresh proposals at a meeting with the company and the finance minister last Saturday.

When the company refused to budge, the union was left with no option but to take action.