The GWU and its campaign

I refer to the article titled GWU's 'January Campaign' Fails to Materialise (February 2) which implied that the GWU does not keep its own promises, that it blows hoarse trumpets and that it takes the people for a ride.

Undoubtedly, very often we get confused by what we see in certain sections of the press. Firstly, this media creates hell when the GWU resorts to popular campaigns at national level against harsh government-induced measures and, then, when circumstances change and the GWU justifiably alters its attitude, this same media conveniently fires its guns at the GWU and harsly attacks and criticises it that it did not keep its promises. These two contentions are diametrically opposed and, therefore, which side of the coin such media endorses we really do not know.

The article referred to the warnings that "had been sounded by the GWU's secretary general, Tony Zarb, in a demonstration in Paola last December 16", saying the government could not continue treating people in this manner and insisting on meeting it over the surcharge, and that he also told employers that were about to face further industrial action. It is true Mr Zarb sounded such warnings, but whoever penned the above-mentioned article omitted, in an opportunistic manner, to mention also Mr Zarb's solemn statement that if the government heeds the GWU's plight, there won't be any need for further popular demonstrations and industrial action at places of work.

It has to be remembered that the government's hardheadedness was what, at the first instance, led the GWU to its campaign of national protests when the government closed all doors for discussions and with its statement that it would not go back an inch and that it would only meet the GWU out of courtesy.

And, certainly, the situation has changed since the December 16 Paola demonstration. Early last month, through third party mediation, the GWU met the Prime Minister over the issue of the surcharge and in fact this meeting took place on January 11 at 5.30 p.m. at Castille where discussions centred mainly around the problems created by the imposed surcharge on water and electricity bills.

The talks outlined the proposal that the GWU had already sent to the government, which proposal was announced by Mr Zarb himself during the Paola demonstration. This meeting was concluded on the premise that both sides were to go back and think of ways how to resolve the impasse.

Now that water and electricity bills with the additional surcharge of 55 per cent have been issued the people are experiencing a direct effect of the impact on their purchasing power. Now they know how the GWU was right to demand from the government to ease these social burdens.

Moreover on January 30, Mr Zarb wrote to the Prime Minister asking him for another meeting with the hope of reaching an agreement acceptable to all. The GWU is now waiting for the Prime Minister to respond.

It has now become a custom, more than ever before, for many to harp on the accusation that the GWU dances to the tunes of the MLP. This assertion is none other than a sheer fabrication and a misrepresentation of the truth. How the GWU acts and what it does is only decided upon within its own structures most particularly within its national council.

Mr Vella is the GWU's media and information executive.