Editorial

When trade unions held a protest in the streets of Valletta last month to protest over the government's proposed new water and energy rates, many were carried away, thinking that what they called a "historic" move would lead to the setting up of a trades union council. It was the wish being the father to the thought for, not only has their dream been shattered, but an inter-union squabble has now led to a rift within the ranks of the trade unions making up the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions. The exchanges that have been going on between one strong confederation member, the Malta Union of Teachers, and the confederation leadership, as well as the recent stand adopted by another trade union, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, in a dispute with the government, are making up a sad epilogue to the unions' "historic" protest.

Rather than taking a step back to reflect on their actions, both the MUT and the CMTU rushed into attacking each other, souring the atmosphere and bringing about a situation in which none of them can win. On the contrary, if the rift continues to widen, it is bound to considerably harm the trade union movement as it could even reduce possibilities of collective action when this is required, as was the case with the protest held against the government over the water and energy rates. In other words, all this sparring goes against the interests of the members they represent. This is no light matter, more so when one of the parties in dispute is a confederation of trade unions.

What would seem to be particularly unbelievable to the casual observer is that the whole issue appears to have been sparked off by one word, untimely. When the MUT suggested the setting up of a trades union council, the CMTU president came out saying the suggestion was untimely. The MUT appears to have been incensed by the remark. Then the MUT took objection to the CMTU officially approving the latest amendments made to the water and energy rates, discussed by the unions directly with the Prime Minister, without consultation with the confederation members. The MUT had its reservations over the latest revision of the rates and was annoyed by the confederation's move.

From then on the tiff developed into an unedifying confrontation, with the MUT accusing the confederation of breaching its own statute and declaring it had no confidence in it. On its part, the confederation is holding to its stand and is also threatening to suspend the teachers' union unless it changes its attitude. If this were to happen, it would further fragment the trade union movement, a move that would certainly push back any drive towards the setting up of a trades union council.

Clearly, the matters over which the two clashed are not that serious to have brought about this situation. As one seasoned trade unionist has said recently, it looks as, more than anything else, this is a clash of personalities. If this is in fact the case, then those at the helm of both the MUT and the CMTU ought to step down in the interest of their unions and the members they represent in order to allow for a cooling off period to pave the way for an eventual bridging of the rift.

In the acrimonious environment that the inter-union squabble is creating, the prospect of setting up a trades union council now appears remote.