GWU accepts invitation to meeting of unions

The General Workers' Union yesterday said it had accepted the invitation extended by the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions to all trade unions to meet on Tuesday to discuss a common stand for talks with the government.

"We have listened and this morning (yesterday) we have contacted the CMTU and the Malta Union of Teachers and proposed that there should be one person who leads the discussion on Tuesday. We recommended Prof. Edward Zammit and our proposal was agreed to," GWU general secretary Tony Zarb said.

He was yesterday speaking at the end of an extraordinary general meeting of the hospitality section to appoint a new secretary. Josef Bugeja is the new man at the helm, replacing Joe Grima who has spent 10 years in the job.

Speaking about the "tsunami of support" during Monday's protest against the proposed reduction of public holidays, Mr Zarb said the GWU was in favour of joining forces with other unions for the common good of the worker.

"I appeal to whoever attends Tuesday's meeting to have the workers' rights as their ultimate goal and to set aside any other motives," he said.

The meeting on Tuesday precedes the meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development on Thursday.