GWU welcomes offer to talks

The General Workers' Union yesterday expressed satisfaction that the Prime Minister said he was prepared to meet the union again to discuss the "hardships" brought about by the water and electricity surcharge.

The union said it had always been available to discuss any proposal which could lead to an agreement to mitigate the hardship placed on workers and pensioners as a result of the surcharge.

The GWU said that in its last meeting with the Prime Minister on the subject, it had been clear that it was always willing to discuss proposals to find a suitable solution. In a letter sent to the Prime Minister on January 4, the union had proposed that a study should be held to establish the impact of the increase in the cost of fuel and the effect the surcharge on water and electricity could have on workers and pensioners.

It said that such a study should be held by an independent body, agreed upon by all, and that the government should bind itself to compensate for any impact found.

The union also wanted to discuss the type of compensation that should be given, it said.