GWU's political agenda - PM

The General Workers' Union, through its actions, had cost the jobs of the Sea Malta employees in the same way as it had cost the jobs of the Phoenicia Hotel workers, the Prime Minister said yesterday.

Lawrence Gonzi said at a PN seminar in Gozo that, although the GWU was supposed to work for the workers' benefit, it had assumed a political role, with its general secretary, Tony Zarb, even having said he wanted to topple the government. The government, however, would not let the union harm the country.

"The GWU's agenda has become a political one, with Tony Zarb saying he wants to topple the government, and Alfred Sant saying the GWU was and remains a privileged union for the Labour Party" Dr Gonzi was quoted as saying in a PN statement.

Rather than seeking to aid economic development, the MLP-GWU were trying to hinder it, Dr Gonzi charged.

Thus, while he was meeting businessmen at the Auberge de Castille after the Commonwealth Business Forum last month, the GWU held a protest, attended by Dr Sant and MLP officials, where Mr Zarb declared he wanted to topple the government.

He said that while last year the GWU prevented agreement on the social pact, last week it prevented fresh agreement within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.

Dr Gonzi thanked the people for having contributed to the success of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).