GWU again warns of action over leave cuts

The General Workers' Union has again warned it will declare industrial action against employers who insist on reducing workers' leave entitlement.

The union also cautioned it would "call upon workers" if the government goes ahead and amends article 17 of the Employment and Industrial Relations Act. The law lays down that public holidays falling on Saturdays and Sundays should be added to the vacation leave entitlement.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced in the budget that in order to increase the country's productivity, public holidays falling on the weekend would not be added to workers' leave as from January 1. Falling on a Saturday, New Year's Day itself will be the first leave day to be lost by workers.

Following a previous warning issued by the union, the presidents of the Malta Employers' Association, the Federation of Industry and the Chamber of Commerce, which support the measure, declared they will implement the law as amended by the government. The GWU yesterday issued a fresh warning that it will not tolerate a reduction in workers' leave as this would breach collective agreements and undermine industrial law.

Speaking to the press yesterday evening, GWU general secretary Tony Zarb said the union would not discuss leave plans for next year with those employers who insisted that workers were not entitled to recuperate feast days falling on Saturdays and Sundays.

"The union would like to make it clear that it will take action at a sectoral level against those employers who do not honour collective agreements," Mr Zarb said.

Presenting a nine-point motion which was unanimously approved by union officials during a meeting yesterday afternoon, Mr Zarb explained that even where collective agreements did not specifically mention feast days falling on weekends, employers were obliged to honour article 17 of the industrial law.

"If the government persists with its stand, the GWU will take the case to the International Labour Organisation, workers' organisations and European institutions," the motion said.

Mr Zarb said union officials expressed satisfaction at the fact that other unions had adopted the GWU's stand on the issue. "We think a meeting between all unions should be held as soon as possible on the issue," Mr Zarb said.

As to whether the union would direct workers to take to the streets, Mr Zarb said, "We rule out nothing".

At a meeting with the Prime Minister last week, Mr Zarb warned the government would "face trouble" if it insisted on reducing workers' leave entitlement.