GWU lays down conditions for Enemalta talks

The General Workers' Union has warned it will only discuss the restructuring of Enemalta's aviation section - which refuels aircraft at Malta International Airport - if the company buys new machinery and sheds antiquated work practices.

The union called a press conference yesterday morning to reply to claims made by Investments Minister Austin Gatt during a visit to the Birzebbuga power station last week, when Dr Gatt claimed the aviation section had a number of extra workers.

He also said the GWU had accepted, after four years of negotiations, that the section could work with fewer workers. But though the company was giving workers an employment guarantee, the GWU was asking for a Lm35,000 early retirement sum, Dr Gatt said, calling the request unacceptable.

According to Rebecca Gatt, the GWU's energy, chemicals and printing section secretary, the minister had mentioned the early retirement proposal but "conveniently" failed to say that the GWU was ready to review the number of workers in each shift, agree on the mechanics' complement and discuss the workers' job descriptions. It was also ready to discuss the creation of a different night shift during the winter months when there are fewer aircraft to be serviced.

Among the work practices which the union thinks need to change are, for instance, the filling of "an endless number of forms" whenever they service aircraft - a practice which has been replaced long ago in airports abroad, the GWU section secretary said.

Ms Gatt said that after the Enemalta management had repeatedly discarded proposals submitted by the GWU in several meetings held together with the Industrial Relations and Employment director, the union had proposed the early retirement arrangement which had been used in other government-owned entities.

Ms Gatt said that although Enemalta's Petroleum Division workers, under which the aviation section fell, were regulated by a collective agreement, the management "feels it is above it and thinks it can dictate".

The union and the Enemalta management are expected to meet today in front of the Employment and Industrial Relations Director.

"The GWU will negotiate and discuss but will not be intimidated," Ms Gatt said.