Dockers' union accuses GWU of spreading false information

The Malta Dockers Union (MDU) yesterday invited the General Workers' Union (GWU) to jointly address port workers and set the record straight, alleging the GWU was responsible for spreading malicious and false information.

The dockers' union was reacting to a letter sent by the GWU which asked its committee members not to attend two meetings the GWU had previously opened to port workers.

MDU president Joe Saliba said he and other executive members had received a letter signed by Charles Agius, GWU secretary for maritime and aviation affairs, claiming that their invitation had been mailed to them by mistake.

In a statement, the MDU criticised the GWU for "spreading false and malicious information" about its consultations aimed at discrediting the MDU.

Mr Saliba said that in meetings with all the port workers, he had explained the workings of the union in detail, exposing what he called the deceit being employed by the GWU to cast doubts and divide the workers.

Following these meetings, the GWU copied the idea and announced that they would be meeting all the workers including the executive committee of the MDU, he added.

The MDU planned to accept the invitation and attend the meeting to react to the "false allegations" that were being said and written about MDU officials on the GWU media. Mr Saliba said this would have given a chance for the workers to hear both sides of the story and draw their own conclusions.

The withdrawal of the invitation, Mr Saliba said, showed a sense of fear and panic within the GWU because this would expose the deceit and false information that the GWU was spreading among port workers.