The post-bastille divine right of dock management

Up to the late 18th century, the working people of Europe, mostly farmers and small craftsmen, had to accept that kings, together with their appointed executive barons, possessed a God-given right to manage the affairs of the state without any involvement of the people. In fact, it was appropriately called the "Divine Right of Kings".

This was up to 1789, when the hungry and illiterate masses of Paris stormed the Bastille and ignited the eruption that was to become the French Revolution. The foremost achievement resulting from this social earthquake was the fact that the concept of divine right was dumped into the dustbin of history without the need of half a minute of philosophical or theological debate and without the need of going through a single page from such classical tomes as summa contra gentiles.

So the Divine Right of Management without taking into consideration the views of the people was laid to rest. Or so I thought.

At present, the Malta shipyards are being restructured, obviously according to plan. In fact, a proper business plan is known to exist. I would assume it includes turnover targets and specified sources of same; break down of expected costs, including direct labour and materials; also the expected overhead costs that at the 'yard are not small matters, including electricity, bank charges, training, indirect labour costs, management salaries, protective gear, marketing costs, subcontracting costs and others. I am also convinced that a development plan exists which should be divided into two parts, one that lays down the capital expenditure of projects and another that forecast the expenditure on machinery and equipment.

The General Workers' Union has recently asked senior management to be presented with this information, but to no avail. The GWU has explained specifically the motives behind this request. It wants to be in a position to work together with the management; it wants the workers to feel they are part of the restructuring process; it wants to make suggestions that would be beneficial financially to the 'yard.

Even under normal circumstances, in the year 2004, it is no surprise that the GWU expects to be involved in these plans. But then, considering that the livelihood of the families of its members is in question, then surely the demand is more than justified.

But no! The "Royal" reply has been communicated. The peasants have no such rights. God forbids such interference. Divine rights are there only for the royals. As simple as that.

I do not agree. I suspect the refusal to be only a protective shield against senior management accountability. No known targets and plans mean no management failures. Therefore, it is necessary that these remain state secrets. Eventually, if the plan fails, the "Royals" will simply say that the worker has not done his bit, so he is to be punished yet additionally.

This negative attitude by senior management has only created unproductive effects. The GWU leaders and the workers feel excluded from the process of restructuring their workplace. This feeling of alienation will not produce more go at the workplace. It is also accellerating the already existing feeling of insecurity. And, above all, it is creating a feeling of lack of trust between senior management and union leaders.

Finally, if the position does not change, I see no logic in the metal workers' and construction section of the GWU to continue to participate in the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) at national level. Quite rightly, the GWU is expected to participate in discussions and suggestions leading to important decisions.

In order to do so, it is being provided with the relevant information by the government.

As things are, the metal and construction workers' section has no scope, no interest, and no reason to form part of this participation.

It should opt out immediately until Malta Shipyards accept the union demand, that, after all, is only a similarity to what goes on at national level on the MCESD.

Mr Meilaq is a former chairman of the Drydocks council.