MUT leaves CMTU

Karm Farrugia

Dec 15th 2008, 15:23

If the Maltese trade unions form a TUC, one will have to ask whether there is still need for the CMTU? One augurs that this was not the real reason for the CMTU president referring to the MUT's proposal as 'untimely'

Victor Sammut

Dec 15th 2008, 15:03

Prosit John Bencini - you are truly a real gentleman and trade unionist at heart.

The people doubting your credentials are simply fools who do not know where you stood during those 'anni di piombo'. I know you as a person who has always been ready to stand up and fight for what is right irrespective of the party in government.

I think the CMTU leadership's decision was purely an exercise in power preservation when the MUT expressed its no confidence in the President.

Still had Mr. Portelli's common sense prevailed the situation could have been averted. He obviously did not and instead went on record to claim that CMTU actions were not personal. Who does he think he is kidding?

John Saliba

Dec 15th 2008, 12:29

@A. Camilleri & Eli Vassallo

1. The point was not the TUC but the fact that the CMTU issued a statement that obviously did not have the agreement of all affiliate unions.

2. I think it is William Portelli who broke the CMTU through inept, ill-thought approach not John Bencini. The MUT President's first obligation is towards his members not the Confederation.

William Portelli's ill timed statement trodded over the concerns that MUT members have. I shudder to think this statement could be an exercise in political appeasment.

It is sad that the late Alfred Buhagiar was not around today. Had he been the CMTU president this would never have happened. You may have forgotten this but during the days of the Labout govt (1996-98) the MUBE(William Portelli's union) had acted like the MUT is doing now (ie: not necessarily in line with the CMTU's press releases) and this was reported a number of times in the press.

However the CMTU leadership intelligently never suspended the MUBE and respected the right of the MUBE to have a divergent opinion.

Food for thought perhaps?

A Camilleri II

Dec 13th 2008, 22:06

Isn't MUT being silly? Don't the other unions have a right not to agree with the TUC proposal. Is calling the proposal 'untimely' such a serious objectionable criticism? What was MUT expecting? Do they think they're in class where everyone should just say 'Yes Sir'.

E. Vassallo

Dec 13th 2008, 20:22

@david zarb

Both my parents were teachers and when they were locked out , people used to make disparaging remarks because they reverted to industrial actions. The CMTU was at the forefront to collect money in aid of the teachers.

Some CMTU members besides being transferred and even beaten as a result of their solidarity with MUT. I bet you forgot or don't know those times. I bet today you can strike without being transferred or beaten. That's democracy and that's the way it should be. But scars are too deep to heal and Mr.Bencini was successul in breaking the CMTU apart. Is it because the MAM striked a good deal before the elections and you were begging for more and did not reach your goal?

Silvan Cutajar

Dec 13th 2008, 19:44

CMTU is on its way to collapse. And MUBE and UHM leadership are to blame. Prosit e! I guess it serves them well. MUT should join the FORUM and make a collaboration agreement between all the Unions outside CMTU.

David Zarb

Dec 13th 2008, 19:23

@ Eli Vassallo and Mr. Bencini..

Well done Mr Bencini, actions are louder than words.. Mr Eli Vassallo, you took us decades back in history, for just a little, you could have taken us in pre-history times too, adam and eve!

Mr. Bencini, your'e a true shield of us teachers. In this uncertain period, backstabbing from CMTU and other undesirable situations, you took a hard decision to leave the CMTU, well done. Continue to work for the interests of us teachers. We are all behind you, well done! I have absolute faith in you and your decisions.

Charles Camilleri

Dec 13th 2008, 19:15

An ingratitude at its best.

m psaila

Dec 13th 2008, 18:29

It would have been better for the unions in this case to sit down and settle their dispute amicably. This will solve absolutely nothing im afraid.

Paul Azzopardi

Dec 13th 2008, 18:18

Well done William Portelli - you have succeeded where all others have failed. Enjoy representing a much shurnk version of the CMTU.

This needed not have happened had you respected the rights of the MUT to her views instead of issuing a statement evidently not all members agreed to.

Lourdes Mercieca

Dec 13th 2008, 17:17

Prosit Mr Bencini. I hope all other serious trade unions follow your lead and leave the CMTU to Gejtu of UHM and any other government appeasers. A Union has to put the interests of its members first and foremost, before any political inclinations cloud its judgement one way or the other.

c.camilleri

Dec 13th 2008, 15:34

@ A Camilleri. But it seems that John Bencini does not recollect those days. I hope he is not suffering from lapses of memory.

G Camilleri

Dec 13th 2008, 14:29

@ A Camilleri.

Mr. John Bencini is a real gentleman and one of the very few leaders who stands up to be counted. He stood up to be counted during the 80's against the Socilaist Government when he was an MUT Council member. He stood up to be counted when his Union came out in favour of Malta joining the EU. He stood up to be counted when the Labour party before the last election came out with the famous "reception class" He stood up to be counted when his Union had joined the GWU in a protest in Valletta a few years ago icw the reduction of Vacation leave for workers. He stood uo to be counted in the recent Valletta Unions manifestation. Yes, this gentleman is unique. There is one thing he never does - being a lackey. Malta needs more courageous people like this guy.

GAVella

Dec 13th 2008, 14:17

Yes, the CMTU did stick up its neck for the MUT in the 80's and I'm sure the MUT and its members, young and old, will be ever so grateful. Yet, owing someone gratitude does not entail owing them servitude or subjection as the CMTU seems to expect out of the MUT. When are we ever going to learn that we should act according to our values and ideals not according to others' (political) dictates? I believe the MUT President and Council have alot to teach us on the matter and if anyone is so short-sighted to believe that the MUT will ever become affiliated to the GWU, then s/he has understood very little of the Union's integrity and dedication to its members.

Maria Falzon

Dec 13th 2008, 13:45

Mr. Bencini has been treading very carefully on many issues. He isn't the type of person who would take drastic action unless really required to do so. There are many pressing issues with the education system, which Mr. Bencini, together with the teachers' union that he heads, are trying to solve without blaring it out in all media and avoid unnecessary tensions. So all those who think that Mr. Bencini is politically manipulated, think twice, because he's not. He'd driven by passion for his job and common sense.

Andrew Said

Dec 13th 2008, 13:10

What is a confederation of trade unions if not a trade union council by another name?

A Camilleri

Dec 13th 2008, 12:50

@ ALL, esp. Bencini

Meta l-MUT hadet azzjonijiet industrijali, tac-CMTU BISS qabzu ghalihom. Tafu x'kien jghajruhom tal-GWU? Corma Moghoz Taparsi Unon.
Meta l-MUT hadet azzjonijiet industrijali, is-CMTU hadet azzjonijiet ta' solidarjeta u meta l-Gvern tal-labour kecciehom ghax xhur shah BLA PAGA. Tac-CMTU biss kienu jmorru jibrulhom il-flus biex ghalinqas ma jmutux bil-guh! Tal-GWU, inkluz l-Orizzont u t-Torca kienu jfahhru l-Gvern Laburista li kien se joqtolhom bil-guh!!

Tiftakru?

Il-Grazzi llum? L-MUT titlaq mis-CMTU. Ara tidholx mal-GWU ukoll!

G, Camilleri

Dec 13th 2008, 12:49

@ j. Bonello. Yes, undoubtedly, it is the same Union that proposed the setting up of a TUC. Why are you against the idea? You must have a vary short memory. When MUT took the initiative, Gejtu Vella, followed by William Portelli decaled that "it was untimely and not on their agenda". Come on let's be ladies or gentlemen!!

G Camilleri

Dec 13th 2008, 12:41

@ Eli Vassallo,

Why dont we all call a spade a spade once and for all. Ask anyone in the streets what perception people have of UHM or CMTU. They would say "dawk blue". Ask the same question re GWU, they would say "dawk homor". Ask people what they thought of MUT. You will get a simple answer or two. Either people would say "ma nafx" or "dawk ma ghandhomx kuluri. This is the perception wheher we all like it or not.

J.Bonello

Dec 13th 2008, 12:33

Is this the same union which proposed the setting up of a TUC some weeks ago?

E. Vassallo

Dec 13th 2008, 12:25

@lgalea

Are you a teacher?I have got close relatives who were/are teachers and if you ask them what were the worst times of their careers, they'll surely reply that when they were locked out by the socialist...er...labour government and vindictively transferred as they striked which uis a sacrosant right be it in a labour or Nationalist Government!!!

A.Vella

Dec 13th 2008, 12:04

Well done Mr. Bencini.

How can anybody have faith in a union or a confederation of unions that is politically biased. MUT has shown throughout the years that it has no political agenda. It has resisted both the Labour and Nationalist governments when ever there was the need to. It has always placed its members' and the public's interests first before any personal creed or agenda. Mr Bencini was active in the MUT throughout all these years.

I personally believe that it takes real leaders like him to propose the formation of a TUC.

lgalea

Dec 13th 2008, 11:35

J busuttil
Chickens are those who do not stand up against Gonzipn arrogance to protect their members and are simply yes men.

The published W&E tariffs clearly show those who have the general public and their members interests at heart and those who are little elves in Gonzipn's pocket.

G Camilleri

Dec 13th 2008, 11:26

@ J. Busittil.

Excuse me, but are you aware that CMTU met behind closed doors without inviting MUT to explain its position and then went on to suspend it. Who are the cowards? MUT is and has always been as they say in Maltese "minghajr kantunieri" and was never a servile follower.

J busuttil

Dec 13th 2008, 11:11

This means that the MUT is not fit to call for a TUC. With the political leaning GWU and the Present MUT there cann't be a TUC. This move by MUT showed that it has no solid ground to defend it's action before the CMTU Council. Chickens.

G Camilleri

Dec 13th 2008, 11:10

MUT's position at CMTU had become untenable. A real pity. CMTU treated MUT in an uncouth manner. MUT had no other alternative especially after it jhad been suspended without being invited to explain iys position, The rest is now history.

lgalea

Dec 13th 2008, 11:10

Good job MUT.
Keep working for the interests the public and of your members in particular.
The published tariffs show who protect the interests of the public and their members and those who are little elves in Gonzipn's pocket.

I think that both the CMTU and UHM have never heard of the saying that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.