Shop steward insists on right to choose representatives

A shop steward of the General Workers' Union yesterday filed a constitutional application against the union and against the chairman and members of the union's disciplinary board.

The application was filed by Raymond Zammit in the First Hall of the Civil Court.

Mr Zammit told the court he was employed by the union and was also a shop steward for the GWU's employees. He was also a member of the union's services and media section. Last May he was accused of violating disciplinary procedures laid down in the collective agreement and that proceedings would be taken against him.

As the charges against him were serious, he was suspended from work on half pay until his case was decided.

Mr Zammit said he was being unjustly accused of having delivered to the Nationalist Party's media a letter written by Gejtu Mercieca, the union's Deputy General Secretary, to all union employees. The letter was subsequently broadcast on Net Television. Proceedings against him before the disciplinary board started on May 23 and Mr Zammit had said he wanted to be represented by Karmenu Vella and by George Abela before the disciplinary board. Mr Vella was the representative of the services and media section.

The union's representative at the proceedings, objected saying that Mr Zammit had to choose between representation by a section representative or by a person in whom he trusted.

The board ruled that Mr Zammit was entitled to be assisted by a person in whom he trusted or by the section secretary, and not by both persons. But Mr Zammit insisted upon being represented by the two persons he had originally chosen. The board then put off the procedures until such time as his constitutional application was filed and decided upon.

Mr Zammit told the court that his right to a fair hearing before the board was being prejudiced, and that he was being unfairly treated.

He requested the court to grant him a remedy.

Lawyers George Abela and Robert Abela signed the application.