More port workers set to leave GWU

The number of port workers set to leave the General Workers' Union increased yesterday as former members of the maritime and aviation executive committee collected more signatures from workers who want to join a new union.

On Wednesday, 160 out of the 207 workers who attended a meeting in Qormi declared they wanted to leave the GWU for a new union led by lawyer George Abela, the former Malta Labour Party deputy leader and former GWU legal adviser. Until noon yesterday, 250 workers had agreed to resign and set up an independent union, Joe Saliba, former president of the maritime and aviation section, said when contacted.

More workers are expected to resign, said Mr Saliba when contacted yesterday evening.

The section has 364 members.

Port workers' foremen left the GWU last week to join the Union Haddiema Maghqudin.

A day after the entire executive committee of the maritime and aviation section, including section secretary Emmanuel Zammit, resigned from the GWU, port workers met at the St Sebastian Parish hall in Qormi and decided to quit the GWU citing the administration's interference as the main reason. Such interference, they said through Mr Saliba, undermined the section's work and autonomy.

The workers also decided that Dr Abela, whom they said was an expert in the sphere and "the son of a port worker", should lead them in negotiations with the government.