GWU threatens nationwide action

General Workers' Union general secretary Tony Zarb yesterday gave notice of industrial action at all places of work, in both public and private sectors, in sympathy with workers in government entities who were faced with redundancy.

The announcement was met with thunderous applause and shouts of "Toni Toni" by the members of the executive committees of all union sections and group committees, whom Mr Zarb was addressing at the GWU headquarters in Valletta.

Mr Zarb said that to avoid the planned action the government had to call a meeting with the union by August 10 to discuss alternative employment for workers at Interprint, a government company which is to close down.

The government also had to declare that in places where workers' jobs were threatened, including in private enterprise, it would hold discussions to prevent such job losses.

He called on his listeners to be "on call" for the union's instructions.

If the government or anyone else tried to use the courts to stop the union in its actions, the union would take to the streets, he said.

"If need be, we will hold a demonstration every day."

Mr Zarb said the country's "two prime ministers" - Lawrence Gonzi and Austin Gatt - had recently told members of the union in a meeting that if the government decided to close an enterprise, the workers at that enterprise would end up unemployed.

They also said that in cases where discussions about restructuring were taking place, if no agreement was reached, the government would "lower the guillotine" on that enterprise.

Such threats were unacceptable, he said.

The union could take the easy way out and accept the government's threats or choose the honourable option, that of not allowing the government to continue following such a policy.

The GWU was choosing this second option and if the government chose to make fun of workers, the GWU would fight it in every way.

Mr Zarb said that the union was not afraid of any challenge.

It acted in the interest of all workers.