The Union Haddiema Maghqudin is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Natalino Fenech spoke to secretary general Gejtu Vella.
What has been the union's greatest achievement?
Our biggest achievement has been maintaining our independence from the political parties under all circumstances. For us independence does not mean that you do not work with political parties but that you don't adopt their agenda. We have our own.
What do you see as the main role for the UHM today?
I see our role as setting the national agenda. We are pro-active and put forward ideas and make proposals for the national agenda, rather than wait for the government or other bodies to make them.
The Prime Minister often argues that unions have to look at the whole picture, the national interest. But if members demand that a union defend their interests, how does the union go about it?
The union always defends workers' interests. This does not mean it wears blinkers and looks only at the immediate effects. We also look at the broader picture. We would be committing a grave mistake if, to gain popularity, we went for short-term gains. We seek what is sustainable in the long term. If you asked for salary increases from companies when the management tells you they are fast losing their competitive edge, you'd be committing suicide.
In your opinion, where is the Maltese trade union movement heading?
Unfortunately the trade union movement is being caught up in the ramifications of partisan politics and instead of placing trade union ideals first, some unions are adopting a partisan political agenda.
Are you referring to recent actions by the General Workers' Union?
Yes. In our view, at the moment, the agenda of the GWU is a partisan one. Is it a coincidence that the MLP and GWU agendas have so many things in common?
Can't one argue that they are both defending workers' interests?
What results did they obtain by their agendas and actions? They are not delivering tangible results. To appear close to workers they are shying away from the economic and social realities that globalisation brings with it.
What are your views on militancy?
Militancy is certainly not the way forward in the economic and social scenarios we are faced with.
Are you saying the time for demonstrations is over?
No, demonstrations are an important tool for any organisation that exists in a democracy, but they should be resorted to when meaningful and serious discussions at the negotiating table fail.
But the GWU argues there is no real discussion, for instance at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, and the government is pushing forward with its own agenda. What are your views?
This is precisely why the UHM had proposed there should be a social pact. Only that guarantees that workers' and pensioners' conditions are safeguarded. Procrastination and stamping of feet lead to nowhere.
Take, for instance, the issue of public holidays. Because of the absence of an agreement, the government rode roughshod. Had we reached a national agreement, workers would have lost 10 public holidays falling on weekends for three years, and things would have reverted back to normal. Now they have all been lost for good.
The UHM is affiliated with the Confederation of Maltese Trade Unions. There is also the FORUM while the GWU stands unaffiliated to other trade unions. Is the Trade Unions Council still a dream?
The TUC can only be set up if the GWU gives a clear signal that it really wants it to be set up. But they cannot keep using their newspaper to attack the UHM and expect us to work with them within a TUC.
There have been conflicts in the past within the CMTU too. Some see you as taking too much of a leading role.
We are a general union and our responsibility is a broad one. We live in the fast lane. We can't take weeks to decide. I can understand the reaction of others within the CMTU but we have a broader responsibility than unions that cater for specific sectors.
In particular, what are your relations with the Malta Union of Teachers and Malta Union of Bank Employees?
We have a good working relationship. There are differences on issues that we deal with from time to time. But there is no bad blood.
For unions to call strike action there has to be a dispute. In your view, what constitutes a dispute?
A dispute may arise on all issues pertaining to work.
Are you restricting this just to work?
No. Strike action may be ordered to safeguard workers' interests in the broadest sense.
What are the UHM's views on sympathy strikes?
The sympathy strike is a very important and effective tool in conducting industrial relations. It has to be used in a very proper and diligent manner because its effects on the economy are, to a certain degree, very significant.
Do you agree that a union should be able to drag other parties into a dispute even though they have nothing to do with the dispute in question? Why should a union drag in the private sector if it has a dispute with the government?
If there is a dispute with the government as an employer, the private sector has nothing to do with it. If the dispute is about the collective agreement of the civil service, for instance, one should not rope in other sectors. But if the dispute is about a fiscal measure taken by the government, then all workers should be entitled to participate in it.
We have a test case on this and when Labour took us to court because we ordered sympathy strike action at the Freeport, the appeals' court proved us right.
You are arguing that unions can take strike action on the government's fiscal measures. Isn't the government elected to govern? Why bring the private and other sectors into the issue?
That is why we strongly believe in effective and meaningful social dialogue. Through such dialogue we can achieve better results for workers.
You did not answer my question.
The government is elected democratically but it is not infallible and in a small country such as ours it makes more sense to join forces and resources to get the best results. Gone are the days where unions, employers or the government claim victory against the others. We should strive to achieve a win-win situation.
The union has consistently spoken out about tax evasion. Are you satisfied with what is being done?
A lot has been done, but the level of evasion is still high, not to say rampant. The results obtained so far indicate that there is an increase in tax revenue due without the raising of income tax and VAT.
The tax compliance unit is creating more effective structures to curb evasion. The fact that these units will be working together, without being vexatious, should help them continue to achieve their aim.
Having said that, I have to say that it's good to have enforcement but one has to work to change the people's outlook on tax.
Social services, the health care system, the education system, roads and so forth have to be funded through taxes. Taxation is not a choice but a necessity.
Don't you feel we are overtaxed?
The middle and upward salaried people are overtaxed. Taxes should be fair and just, the money collected from taxes should be used diligently and maximum value for money should be obtained when public funds are used.
The UHM was one of the prime supporters of EU membership. What are your views now that Malta has become a member?
With the exception of a few, everyone realises that EU membership, if used well, will be advantageous in countering the effects of globalisation. The European Union is putting pressure on our country to raise levels across the board. This is positive for all sectors of the economy. The benchmarking that we have to do now is with other countries which are faring better than we are, not between which political party achieved the most during their term in office.
For instance, great strides forward have been made in the educational sector but compared to other EU member states, we are still lagging behind in various fields.
On his programme on Super One radio, former MLP president Manwel Cuschieri last month asked whether the UHM was the Nationalist government's "dishcloth". How do you view such remarks?
We take them in our stride but let's hope that these views do not reflect those of the MLP.
The UHM and the MLP are no bedfellows. The MLP leader made it very clear that for the MLP, the GWU is the privileged union. How do you comment?
We don't believe in privileges. It is only the weak who need them. We strongly believe in rights and work towards achieving our goals in the proper manner, irrespective of who may be in government.