Updated: GWU holding meeting tomorrow

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 14th 2008, 10:10

Charles Camilleri...Alfred Sant was not Labour party leader before 1986.....

But lets just state a simple fact...If you have read my writings, I have stated time and time again, that no politicians, from the Labour camp or otherwise, should have the right to make promises, and then break them when elected.

Its very simple, and I have no qualms in stating that if Alfred Sant, Lawrence Gonzi, Fenech Adami, or anyone else for that matter, thought that they had the right to do that, then they were wrong.

Why is it so complicated?

Noel Vella

Aug 14th 2008, 08:23

On a humanitarian level of course I am sorry for all drydocks workers who may unfortunately loose their job and I agree that every possibility needs to be explored to ensure and secure their income as bread winners. The workers need to think well for themselves and forget going along with the Union. This issue has been going on for as long as I remember (now 51 years old!) and the Union has done nothing else but secure its position as a trade union. This situation is no different than that of Sea Malta. Sea Malta workers won because they followed the govt directives and the GWU lost, not just the case but also lots of members. Loosing membership from Drydocks workers means that the GWU can close its doors. This is exactly what the GWU leadership is afraid of - loosing their job or better still their power!! IT IS THE WORKERS THAT SECURE THE UNION and not the Union that secures the Workers. Decide for yourselves and your families in your individual capacity - only you know what is good for you and your family.

Jeremy J camilleri

Aug 12th 2008, 22:04

I hope that answers your questions...I was fair..seeing that you ignored mine.....

Jeremy J camilleri

Aug 12th 2008, 22:03

As for not people here not trying to take away the right of the GWU in organising meetings. If not so, why the open hostility by folks who have ABSOLUTELY no connection to the docks or the issue concerned?#

As for the past I agree with you. When UHM(not pro labour) is it? issued directives at Maltapost, a couple of years ago, workers were LOCKED out....the Government was still a majority shareholder.

It was also A PN administration that decided to arrest Union leaders after a legitamate strike. This was strongly condemned by The ILO, but I guess thats Pro Labour and Pro Gwu. Ilo also condemned the way in which the Government acted on the Public holidays issue.Ilo is the International Labour organisation, just in case it isn't listed in Roman Philosophy.

If of course you do not know these past facts, I will not judge you as a fool, just read up.....

Jeremy J camilleri

Aug 12th 2008, 21:57

Alex Ellul.Rich for someone like you to comment about hypocrisy....

These people have been issued written promises five months ago....Strange how someone like you quotes roman philosophers and yet can only see one side of the coin.

What is your opinion regarding that issue? If you have one you never write it on blogs do you? shades of hypocrisy?

As for your begging for a job..I just hope that Know it alls whern't writing in blogs calling you a thieve and that you deserved it...It has been evident with regards to Dock workers in previous blogs.
In any case,I don't think job shortage is ANY union's fault...but you do seem to blame the GWU here...One comment stranger than the next!


As for two weights and two measures....ALl Government employees have special schemes...I worked with Maltapost for 17 years, and when privatised, I had every right to revert to Government service...Actually I did...Didn' t hear loads of complaints then!

As for talking for everyone here is rather patronising don't you think?

Alex Ellul

Aug 12th 2008, 18:35

Yes Jeremy, we all have the right to organise and attend peaceful demos, gatherings, discos, etc. That is why the MLP/GWU tandem has been out of a job for many years, because under this tandem it was kind of unhealthy to attend peaceful demos. One Roman philosopher once wrote: He who does not know his own past is a fool.
I cannot find any comment saying that the GWU does not have the right for a demo.. Please read again and quote those that you think say that the GWU does not have a right to organise....". In fact no one has written any words indicating that they are "against the right of the GWU to call a meeting....". What they are against is the GWU hypocrisy, two weights two measures, special treatment to the dock workers while other workers were dumped like dead leaves during autumn. Where where you when I was begging for a job and the Dock workers were making loads of cash from overtime, special allowances, etc, while their docks debts where going up by the millions? Now answer ALL my questions please.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 12th 2008, 18:31

C Mizzi, no actually...I do not remember those times as I was 6 years old....but since you have got all so historical, wasn't it the PN that wanted to enact a law banning the right to strike.....

Sorry for mentioning the PN...but well, I have this sort of inkling that you are a Pn fan....Strange...anti Union people usually are.....

Ps. Kindly note that I do not believe in delving in the past when discussing CURRENT affairs....hence no mention of the more sordid PN past.....

Charles Camilleri

Aug 12th 2008, 18:13

Jeremy It is very heartening to hear people like you presently talks a lot about democracy and the right of free speech. This is to the merit of the Nationalist Govt. We were not like that during labour administrations. Writing about promises,we had ALfred Sant before the 1986 elections promising the Dockyard workers not to touch their Council which was elected by the workers. You know as i do what happened the day after Sant became P.M. He just dismissed the council and replaced with one formed by the Govt. Jeremy you are defending a lost case. Even Tony knows that but he has to defend his lucrative job or else apply for an early retirement scheme himself.

Mark Portelli

Aug 12th 2008, 17:36

I see that there is alot comments going on how the GWU should do its work, well GWU like any other union has the right to protest, setup meeting and other actions needed within the legal parameters of our legal system, without distrubing other businesses work.

Another important issue is work, yes i believe that government should give some kind of work garantee to those workers who will not take the early retirement scheme and will not be accepted by the new owners. The GWU has to do its own part aswell in assuring these workmen some kind of employment.

I think its about time that this issue has to be addressed.

C.Mizzi

Aug 12th 2008, 16:59

My dear jeremy...Yes, nowadays every union have a right to organise public meetings. It was not so during the 70's and 80"s. Remember the GWU stand against the CMTU ? Everyone knows that Tony and Geitu needs these public meetings every now and then to make some noise and retain their positions. Its obvious is'nt it ? Tony needs some rallies and a public meeting every year. Or else.............he will have to accept an early retirement scheme from the GWU !!!

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 12th 2008, 16:49

yes Alex Ellul...Your attendance is not what really matters.....I have no doubt that Labour supporters with socialist ideals might attend. What is wrong with that?

But then again..most comments here are obviously from Nationalist supporters...does that not bother you?

With all the comments and expertise, I doubt if any blogger writing against the GWU has ever mentioned the Prime Minister's WRITTEN promise to these workers. Tender isn't it?

However, my main point was that since most people writing here are obviously against the right of the GWU to call a meeting....and since you seem to have ignored that,which seems rather strange,....I wonder if you have an opinion on the matter?

Does a union, whether you agree with the reasons or not, have a right to organise public meetings?

Renato J. Costigan

Aug 12th 2008, 16:48

@@@ Mr. Charles Camilleri.

Congratulations for your comments, Charles. No one can speak

on the ex-Dockyard except those who worked behind those walls.

Some are buried behind those GATES.

NO ONE CAN SPEAK WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD from
the same people who are speaking against the privatisation.

Charles P Cilia

Aug 12th 2008, 16:29

Mr. Robert Micallef, so far every entity that has privatised is generating more revenue to the government, the Drydocks should not be any different.

Skilled workers are and will always be needed, they are not the issue, however supporting an ailing industry which is loosing millions of euros each year is a very big issue and needs to be addressed. Everything else has failed regardless of where you and me points to blame.

Graziella Duncan

Aug 12th 2008, 16:29

What about Mellieha Bay Hotel employees? Trouble seems to be brewing there as well. They already have been informed that to keep afloat most prob it will be closing down in winter. What r we supposed to eat then.....our nails? who is helping them out, they pay the union fee as well. will they be offered an alternative job...some employees have been there well over 30 years???? any help from anywhere????????????

Alex Ellul

Aug 12th 2008, 16:26

Jeremy. I will not attend, most ex-GWU members wouldn't either. MLP supporters will definitely attend and i suppose dockyard workers too. Be good.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 12th 2008, 15:49

Shameful...a union organising a meeting in the streets...should be illegal I here you mutter...These things DO NOT happen in civilised European countries....Unions, or any other organisation, for that matter should have NO right to do such things....

You''ll soon be stating that facism deserves another chance!!!

As for people like Nadia Frendo and Adrian Agius...well...perhaps you should be directing the question to a famous minister that sometimes gets idolised on these blogs, who between one smirk and another decided that it was fun to bet on the future of worker's jobs....

Or our Prime minister stating that people who lost jobs were finding better opportunities in other sectors....

As for people like jFarrugia and ilk, its simple, if the worker's do not trust the GWU, they will simply not attend....now thats simple in a democracy isn't it...then again..the word democracy might not be in your vocabulary......ahem


and for all you euro hungry tax payers...still no mentioning the taxes paid for employing contractors to perform work whilst govt workers are left idle....Ho Hum!

Alex Ellul

Aug 12th 2008, 15:32

@Robert Micallef: Please stop thinking that you are "amongst the most skilled in our country!" This is called self-conceit. All Maltese workers are amongst the most skilled in whatever we do. I can humbly say that I am amongst the most skilled, as I suppose, most other Maltese workers are. So please stop saying that dockyard workers are some kind of super-professionals. You are as skilled in your profession as any one else is in his. That's it.
Your comment: "If the dockyard is privatised the new owners will reap all the profits," please note that I, as a shareholder (tax-payer) of the shipyards, can say that I have been reaping the losses for decades. I don't care if someone starts making a profit as long as I don't keep being fleeced for supporting an entity that cannot get out of the red, after pumping so much cash into it.

I feel sorry for all workers who are made redundant ,as, I suppose, many Maltese felt sorry for me when I became redundant and had to go beg for jobs at a time when the dockyard workers were making loads of cash many years ago.

K Xuereb

Aug 12th 2008, 15:15

Most interesting of The Times correspondent to refer to Mr. Sammy Meilaq as "Former Drydocks council chairman".

I'm sure Mr Meilaq remembers very well which government unseated him and dissolved the council just weeks after Dr Sant declared the council 'untouchable' in an election campaign activity in Cospicua. A good decision that stood out among the myriad of failures but there was no talk of a government being untrustworthy or breaking promises back then.

Mr Meilaq and Mr Zarb, you are simply not credible as you have danced to the tune of your political masters for years, even when this went against the interests of the workers you were supposed to represent.

Charles Camilleri

Aug 12th 2008, 15:10

SAMMY, you are one of those who should put their hands on their hearts and repeat Mia Culpa for numerous times for the ruinous state that the yard is in to-day. You are one of those who opposed any kind of reforms in the yards and encouraged the workers to stick to their outdated work practices. You were one of those who ordered the yard workers to go on strike for unknown reasons. You were one of those who encouraged the yard workers to put only a couple of hours work daily. So please now you have done your job and ruined the yard workers' future. Now it is time to let the workers decide for themselves what is good for them. I think they deserve that.

Chris Borg

Aug 12th 2008, 15:09

@ Karl Abela.....a real case of the pot calling the kettle black.....

Chris Borg

Aug 12th 2008, 15:08

Oh. So now the very-democratic-Nats (Sic.) are complaining even because the Union is going to organise a meeting to inform it's members. Anyone remembers the mayhem caused by these same Nats in the 70s, 80s and 96-98? Anyone remembers how they organised kids to block streets in those 22 months (eg. Mosta square and Msida main road) ?

The question is, why doesn't the govt. want to investigate on WHY the shipyards made recent losses? If it was the workers' fault, they would have investigated......

C.Mizzi

Aug 12th 2008, 15:05

Dear old Tony ! Stop blaming people and pointing fingers . It is high time that u blame yourself and your incompetence and call it a day once for all. Remember when in 2003 you were presented with a vote of no confidence from all your Central Administration members and all your Section Secretaries ? At that time u handed your resignation saying that you are resigining in the interest of the GWU. Come on Tony. Just for once show us that you really cares for our country and for your members. Just resign and make way for competent and serious people to lead the GWU. Dont repeat Sea Malta with the drydocks workers ! In the interest of the drydocks workers and their families......call it a day dear Tony.

Renato J. Costigan

Aug 12th 2008, 15:04

@@@ Mr. David Bailey:-

I ask some simple questions, dear friend.

Who was to blame when workers were encouraged to lay
down tools and go out from the ex-dockyard to protest (sic)
in favour of others and being paid?
Who was responsible for the MNARJA mess inside the yard?
Who was responsible for ships leaving the yard late on the date of
completion?
Who was responsible for the numerous of promotions given to workers
who are in most cases 'il-hbieb tal-hbieb'
Who was responsible in 2003, when 900 workers were chosen
to be laid off with to choose schemes or IPS?
Who was responsible when out only 2 managers out of those workers
where made redundant?
Who was responsible that within those 5years there were managers
who even took more than one promotion?
Who is responsible, if it is not the bad management who and I quote
in Maltese to be precise - ' Fit-tarzna inqerdet l-ghanqbuta imma
l-BRIMBA baqghet hemm'.
When the government took over from the council it was too late for
the survival of the ex-Dockyard. When certain foreign Executive Managers
where chosen, it wasn't the government who choose them.

If you want more let me know.

adrian Agius

Aug 12th 2008, 14:03

Mr.Tony Zarb,

Remember the ex workers of the Hotal Cavalieri, we finished up with no job and no compensation 9 years ago!!!!!

Robert Micallef

Aug 12th 2008, 14:01

@ those who say "Let the government privatise the Malta Shipyards so that for once it become a viable entity for the nation"
If the dockyard is privatised the new owners will reap all the profits, and btw I hear that there are quite a number of companies who are interested in making Malta shipyards a profitable venture, unlike what has been done until now by the present government!
Shame that the workers will be left redundant instead of employing them where is needed in other government sections ex. restorations projects!
And please do remember that people from Shipyards/Drydocks are amongst the most skilled in our country!

Sean Meli

Aug 12th 2008, 13:41

The workers have the right to protest against their employer and for this case is the government, as the laws are today they grant protests. The GWU is bringing on the front the workers' dignity which the government surely is not respecting. The Take it or leave it decisions is surely not the method but "flimkien kollox possibli" is the best way!

David Bailey

Aug 12th 2008, 13:33

@Renato J. Costigan

According to the Malta Shipyards Ltd. website:

"The Malta Shipyards are owned by the Government of Malta. ... The company is managed by the Executive Management Team led by a Chief Executive reporting to a Chairman appointed by Government."

So who is exactly to blame for the heavy losses incurred on major contracts? Why do you blame the GWU when they have no input into the management of the shipyards? And if the workers were not performing at the level required, they should have been replaced by the Management. The restructuring process was a failure - want to blame the GWU for that as well?

While privatisation of the shipyards is required, as we cannot continue to support it through our taxes, you cannot simply point fingers at the workers and their union when it was Management and Govt who messed things up! And while I do not agree with the vigilante attitude that the GWU takes in these issues, nor do I like the way Govt handles these issues.

edgar gatt

Aug 12th 2008, 13:29

Just watched the video. Sammy Meilaq is now like a lamb compared to the Meilaq of some years ago. Sammy nobody is afraid of you or Tony Zarb now. We have known you both too long and we have seen through you many a times. Your days as union leaders are over .

Adrian Cachia

Aug 12th 2008, 13:22

I will not go into who is right or who is wrong as I did not follow the issue much. However I do believe they have every right to demonstrate. I just ask for something....doing it in a civilised manner....normally it gets pretty hot..the August heat is enough at the moment....

Renato J. Costigan

Aug 12th 2008, 13:07

To Mr. Tony Zarb and all his allies.


I beg you to look through the passing years and you see in which

state the GWU and her allies brought the ex-MDD/Malta Shipyards,

instead of saying to the workers not to accept the schemes. PUT

your hands on your heart and reflect in the last 25years of 'tmexxija

mill-haddiema', what was the result. BANKRUPTCY of more than

350,000,000, ex-maltese liri. Let the government privatise the Malta

Shipyards so that for once it become a viable entity for the nation.

Nadia Frendo

Aug 12th 2008, 12:56

When the factory I worked for closed down (WET ltd), none of this fuss was made. I personally, after 10 years of service was given Lm 900. The GWU didn't call for demonstrations and such. Is the GWU making such a fuss because it is run by the government? Or is it because the bulk of workers paying the GWU from the shipyards? Myself and many many others stopped our memberships and never reinstated them after we lost our first job. Is that what Tony Zarb is so worried about???

J Farrugia

Aug 12th 2008, 12:53

Sammy Meilaq, its you who is not to be trusted. You are well off while the workers have to fend for themselves. so cut the rhetoric and let the workers decide for themselves. You have Mintoff to employ you. Its you who is not to be trusted. remeber when Labour came into power in 1996 when you stated that you were joking with the millions haded to your board by Minister John Dalli. Shame on you. Leave the workers alone. They can take care of themselves.

Karl Abela

Aug 12th 2008, 12:52

TONY ZARB, you are doing too much damage to our country. You are instilling political hatred and causing a rift in our people for something that doesn't hold ground. You are doing this because it's not your party in government. This is unneccesary action. Your members are on the decrease because your time is up. You ar not wanted anymore and you should go.

effie carbonaro

Aug 12th 2008, 12:46

too little too late tony.tony it is better if you fight for those factory workers with over 35 years service and are in the 55-61 region to get the same treatment as the dockyard workers.i think we deserve it and those who have worked with a private firm knows what i am saying.

E Gatt

Aug 12th 2008, 12:40

Demonstrations by a militant and unrealistic union – the perfect way forward to entice potential investors.

Arthur Bugelli

Aug 12th 2008, 12:37

May I suggest to Mr. Tony Zarb to use Union money and purchase the dokyards and employ as many (workers) as he is asking for to do as little as possible , and get all the benefits. Look at all the profits that the GWU will reap.

Francois Spiteri

Aug 12th 2008, 12:18

"Issa Daqsekk" Tony ! Shame on you for trying to suck more money from our taxes just for a handfull of people.... or does the word worker include only dockyard workers.

Joseph Agius

Aug 12th 2008, 11:57

Here we go again. Wish we had Minister Austin Gatt responsible for the privatisation. We are fed up of associations, unions and delegates taking weird decisions!

J Farrugia

Aug 12th 2008, 11:39

Tony |Zarb, why call in the housewives from their chores, the ex-employees of MDD, when they are well off now that they are not part of the MDD? What's the use of calling all these people to your mass meeting? To show how big the GWU is? To incite these remaining workers not to take the money and run as they are doing? Have a life Tony, you're just trumpeting up against the Government. That's all and we'll take you with a pinch of salt like the Transport Federation (sic). Why not tell the government to offer these schemes to us Government workers? I for one will take it up immediately. I can do something else, not like those idle MDD workers.