GWU accuses UHM of 'twisting facts'

Muscat, pat

Jan 30th 2009, 17:20

The UHM has a right to act the way it does, whether it is a U turn or an S turn. However, it is insulting for the UHM to say it is an "independent" union. It is not independent of the PN and the least said the better!

g.c.Forte

Jan 30th 2009, 15:54

You don`t need to go to university to guess who is on the right direction. More than 11 unions started from Republic street agreeing together on the issue. Then there was a meeting behind close doors in castille, between the U.H.M. the G.R.T.U. and the Prime Minister, were for these two unions( if they are unions and not a P.N. staffa ) there was an agreement, without consulting the other unions. Now that " iz-zejt tela f`wicc l`ilma" and the 11 unions were proven right mr. Gejtu wants to twist the real facts. Mr. Gejtu Vella you should consider your position, because this is not the first that you abandon your faithful members to give a ride the P.N.

Manuel Mifsud

Jan 30th 2009, 15:32

When all the unions were still together, soon after the famous protest march, wasn't it Zarb and Bencini who came out of Castille optimistic that an agreement was almost reached except for a few points which still had to be cleared? Afterwards we learnt that the problem was about eco reductions, as fewer than expected were going to be eligible to get them. So what is the advice of Zarb and Bencini to those who get the eco contribution? Shall they pay the bill or wait for the 45 day period? I wonder who's confusing who!

J Cilia

Jan 30th 2009, 14:31

All Unions ultimately should act in line with their moral and social responsibilities and the national interest. Let's face it, any well being that was created in the last few years is by no measure attributable to Unions' intervention, very often Unions are mere pressure groups. My strong belief is that Unions should stay away from economic interventions as their level of sensitivity and competence to these issues is quite low, in any case the jobs that are salvagable will be salvaged, with or without the Unions' interventions. Judging by what is being stated explicitly and implicitly, the impression being given is that both Unions are being opportunistic and engaging in a PR war that is a discredit to their professionalism and savoir faire. Unions should just shun their bullying tactics and rhetorics and realise that with the progression of time they are gradually but surely moving towards their demise.

James Saliba

Jan 30th 2009, 14:06

Wasn't it the UHM (or its representatives) that hailed a one-to-one agreement with government some weeks ago, while a number of other unions continued to press government to revise the tariffs? Which kind of agreement was reached between the UHM and Gov, then? Cause it transpired that UHM had fully agreed with some minor adjustment of these tariffs and Mr Gejtu Vella, came out criticizing the other unions about their continued perseverance. Why now is this union retracing its claims and asking government to lower the tariffs? Was it maybe the case that UHM did not have all their calculations correct? Is the UHM saying that it has somehow been tricked into bluntly calling it a victory when in truth things were different? UHM wants to be seen as pro its members while at the same time pro Gov.

d.attard

Jan 30th 2009, 14:00

We need to address the grave issues, resulting from the global recession/depression, realistically and not optimistically.

We as Maltese need to make a quantum leap at this crucial juncture, away from empty rhetoric of how great we are in all things. We need to slip into the real world where we need to think plan and work to implement initiatives that respect all Maltese.

To date I see us as being a pseudo-nation of chatterers, spinners and egoists as we paint ourselves saints, altruists and angels.

Does the UHM have a political agenda equal to if not greater that that of the GWU? Shall we stop the bull and get down to work the field?

Will this world crises really bring us together?

I fear that we shall only come together when the water reaches up to our lips.

Hope I'm wrong.

J Farrugia

Jan 30th 2009, 13:26

at the end of the day, each one of us will have to pay what is due. No union is going to pay the bills for us. We have to make economies in a problematic world which is going through a bad moment. Unless we look at it positively and try to make the best of it, YES, we will sink under this economic crunch.

albert debono

Jan 30th 2009, 13:11

Mr. Zarb, let the UHM make as much U-turns as it wants if it is in the interest of the common citizen. I hope that every Union makes also a U-turn on the pension reform which was lately passed in parliament but which is still half-baked and which is going to adversely affect a lot of middle-aged citizens. I hope that every Union REALIZES that that reform was not to the benefit of the common citizen particularly the low-income earners. Are you ready to make a U-turn in this regard? I hope that your answer is YES because otherwise that would be more detrimental to us.

J Busuttil

Jan 30th 2009, 13:01

This is a very weak answer to UHM press release.The GWU is saying that the UHM made a u turn because now it is calling for the tariffs to be reduced. This is not true. The UHM called for a reduction because now we are nearing the six month period for the tariffs to be revised. The GWU called for a reduction from 1 October when thw price of fuel bought and is being consumed till now was bought at 100 dollars a barrel though it had agreed with the Govt at the last meeting with PM GONZI. It also seems that the other unions did not supported the GWU on the UHM press release contents.

Michael Gatt

Jan 30th 2009, 13:00

Its more than obvious that the UHM and a U turn, who can say the contrary

P Micallef

Jan 30th 2009, 12:59

If the last paragraph in the report is true than whoever is leading the UHM should resign. It is a shame that union officials paid by the workers to talk that way.