Matthew Xuereb
GWU to hold its own protest against new utility rates
Will also take part in Labour's manifestation
The General Workers' Union will be joining the Labour Party's manifestation against the new energy rates on Sunday but will also go a step further by holding its own protest the following Thursday.
Through its demonstration, the union will be pushing for the tariffs to be revised, otherwise workers should be compensated, GWU general secretary Tony Zarb said.
Mr Zarb said the union had sent letters to the four political parties and invited social partners and organisations to attend the demonstration.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday to give the union's official reaction to the Budget, Mr Zarb said a separate rally for members will be held next Tuesday.
Mr Zarb said companies had approached the union worried about their future and considering introducing shorter working weeks or even making lay-offs.
Before the Budget, companies were already concerned about the global financial situation but the new measures and the utility bills had added to their problems, he said.
Although the press conference was about the Budget, Mr Zarb barely spoke about any of the measures announced. Asked if he had any comments to make, he said that while the Budget had some good points, the utility tariffs could not be taken out of the equation.
Though he noted that most of its proposals had not been included in the Budget, Mr Zarb said the union welcomed the incentives to encourage women to return to work, and measures encouraging the use of alternative energy, which it had proposed.
However, the Budget had added to the hardships imposed by the utility tariffs by raising taxes and charges, including higher duties on petrol and diesel and increased annual road licences.
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In Discussion
13 Comments
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l Galea
Nov 8th 2008, 08:56
Charles Camilleri
So protests get on your Gonzipn nerves do they?
We have a right to protest and we are going to protest against your Gonzipn Government because it has lost it's social conscience if it ever had any.
l Galea
Nov 8th 2008, 08:54
J Busuttil
Give us proof of what you say because the Government itself does not want to publish the figures because it is hiding behind the excuse that what YOU are saying is commercial information.
P.Schembri
Nov 8th 2008, 08:52
@all. I bet my bottom eurocent that no one except the GWU will take part in the manifestation tomorrow. The other social partners of the MCESD are PN lackeys and bootlickers. All bark and no bite. And of course, they aren't taking the brunt of the tariffs, the middle class and common worker is. So it's up to us, the workers who must protest. Let them stay on the fence, but if their hour of need arrives we'll see then. This is our hour of need. I'm sure they won't come to our aid. So workers of all colours unite. In unity we can achieve something.
m. farrugia
Nov 7th 2008, 20:11
Whilst GWU is referring to its manifestation as a 'Protest",Sunday's Labour/AD et al manifestation is not a "Protest" - it is a manifestation of 'Kuragg'.
Maybe even Lawrence Gonzi ,Tonio Fenech and PN should join in, after all they surely have always made their best to instill confidence rather than fear in the country and helped the country overcome challenges.Their presence would surely lead to the promised "earthquake" within the MLP.
J Busuttil
Nov 7th 2008, 17:58
The Government bought the present consignment of fuel by the hedging system and at that time the price was 100 dollars per barrel. Hedging was Labour's favorite and also the favorite of the GWU papers. So now the 'two 'LABOUR' orgonisations are going to protesr against thenseves? Are the twin LABOUR organisations ignoring the major investment programme set forth in the budget?
Jeremy J Camilleri
Nov 7th 2008, 17:55
Charles Camilleri..Protests have always been used as a means of getting a message across.
I mean, ok, its not always Sliema housewives wearing pots and pans and complaining of lack of water, or old biddies screaming behind a priest because of tourists bathing without their top on. Remember?
As to their effectiveness, I guess that is for their organisers to decide.
If you personally don't believe in protests achieving anything, don't organise or take part in any.
Simple is it not?
joanna farrugia
Nov 7th 2008, 17:08
@Nigel Lawrence this is not another mlp mass meeting and second Charles Camilleri why you are still mentioning the dockyard?after all their jobs is lost now am i right?this is just a call for all the maltese ppl to wake up.if both of you are comfy pls let the others do what is right for them.
Noel Barry
Nov 7th 2008, 16:26
Tony Zarb, I am still wating for the report to be published when the then Prime Minister Alfred Sant presented his budget, and the only one, in his short term in goverment. How come you were so fast now.
Charles Camilleri
Nov 7th 2008, 15:40
Oh yes returning to the past when protest marches were the past time of the GWU and the L.P.combined. They did not solve any problem in the past and will not solve any now. The dockyard the bulwark of these marches is a classic example.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Nov 7th 2008, 15:32
The other Unions have been invited.
You should have listened to ALL the news Mr Lawrence.
I doubt that the likes of UHM will take part......I wonder why?
I mean, they're definitely not a partisan union are they? *sigh*.
Perhaps they're too busy organising the next Freeport strike.........
P Sapiano
Nov 7th 2008, 13:22
I hope that the 'Imsiehba socjali' will also be at the front together with the other/s union/s during the manifestation on Sunday. Let show the Govt that EVERYONE is feeling the burnt of the water and electricity tariffs. If these people are not present, then it is their fault as they will show a divided nation.
M.Buhagiar
Nov 7th 2008, 12:25
The problem with the other unions Mr Lawrence is that the other unions haven`t got the guts to protest. Only Bla ,Bla, Bla and NO action.
The Labour party and the GWU are the ONLY voice of the PEOPLE defending you and me and all the Maltese families
Your statement whether the manifestation will be a Labour meeting is pure nonesense and out of context at this point in time!!
Nigel Lawrence
Nov 7th 2008, 12:12
So, are the other unions joining in, or will this just be another Labour party Mass Meeting?