GRTU council endorses Vince Farrugia's EP candidacy

Gerard Cassar

Mar 5th 2009, 14:15

Mr Scicluna and Mrs M.Mizzi are not heads of any national organisation. They are inviduals just as any member of parliament is. They do not compromise any organisation So it is childish to try and throw bad light on the two respectable persons by putting them in parallel with the position of Mt.V. Farrugia GRTU general secretary and endorsed by this Union.
It's a world first, good for theGuiness book of records.

Saviour Fenech

Mar 5th 2009, 11:41

Being a member of the GRTU, I do not have any objection with Vince Farrugia contesting. The main objection is how the union I am affiliated with should urge me to vote for him when he is going out with ONE of the political parties. Vera kaz miskin dan ta ... the next step is GRTU should pay also for his political campaign. Mind you, I shall be resigning from this union today. They will be getting my membership card this week no problem for that. I had all respect for GRTU but today it lost all its credibility.

M Callus

Mar 5th 2009, 05:39

@Ronnie Gauci

For you they are losing credibility because they are standing for election in the interests of the PN. For me Profs Scicluna and Marlene are losing credibility because they are standing in the PL's name.

A Pace Gouder

Mar 5th 2009, 05:26

In such circumstances any sensible, serious democratic union , with due respect to its members, would have taken a neutral stand and dis-associated itself not doing the contrary ! ! ! how pathetic ...in my opinion , this is an insult to Maltese society ! It is of paramount importance that anyone occupying a high rank position (Director General in this case of Mr.V. Farrugia !!!) should relinquish his position by resigning .
It is now obvious that there is no such clause in this UNION's statute as probably it never crossed their mind that some fine day they will come to this .
Every day that unfolds , in particular such stories, makes me more conVINCED of my opinion
with regards to the party in power today , a party where I HAD BEEN a staunch ACTIVIST for the best part of my life.

D.Micallef

Mar 4th 2009, 23:16

GRTU members with their membership are financing Mr. Vince whilst he is busy campaigning until next June. Well done.

L..Galea

Mar 4th 2009, 22:51

Maria Dolores Fenech
Opportunizmu, opportunizmu, opportunizmu.
U-turns, u-turns, u-turns.

Ivan Scicluna
Very good point. If it's on the PL side it's no good, if it's on the Partit tan-Negozjanti side it's OK.

Abel Abela
You mean The Mockracy?

Oscar Cassar, J Farrugia, S Cassar
Hahahahahaha

Thomas Grima

Mar 4th 2009, 22:09

So now, is the GRTU a privileged union??

r.lewis

Mar 4th 2009, 20:56

As Director General of the GRTU, can you please check Mr.Farrugia with the EU if elected, whether it is standard practice with other EU countries that businesses in the catering industry, after being forced to pay from our own money for the extension of pavements, and of course with very high costs, the following. We have to pay a license fee of 29.12euro per sq meter per year plus a 250euro per sq meter bank guarantee. It would be interesting to know the outcome.

Chales J. Busuttil

Mar 4th 2009, 20:54

Vince is the ideal man for Europe, under any banner. The vitriolic attack on Vince expressed here come as no surprise. The love-hate relationship of different sectors of the political and commercial divide with Vince/GRTU has been evident over the last 15 years. Vince/GRTU have often been the target of suspicion, hatred or jealousy: Accused of giving away the 1996 election to Labour saw the drifting away of Nationalist members while many a Labourite ebbed out when they claimed that GRTU gave the final push to a Nationalist victory in the EU referendum.

Vince is a hard worker, well researched and few can stand up to his arguments. He fights for his members with vigour, holds the consumer at heart: see the front he put up against the W&E surcharge of the NATIONALIST GOVERNMENT. Vince can work for all Maltese, same as Simon Busuttil did in VAT refund on vehicles.

Vince rejected offers of lucrative appointments preferring to relate with business. I have seen Vince helping people who had tried to stab him in the back, seeking only the good in them.

Malta has just 5 seats in EU. Put Vince in one of them and have no regrets.

Ronnie Agius

Mar 4th 2009, 20:10

Come on Vince take your mask away you cannot serve as a director general of the GRTU more.You cannot eat with two mouths you choosed the P.N. and hope that members of GRTU next time get you away also if you are not elected in the EU elections!.

Joseph Borg

Mar 4th 2009, 19:59

A desperate move by the PN to avoid a humiliaiting defeat. However this plan will surely backfire on them.

I suggest that members of the GRTU who don't support this farce to dump the union and seek refuge in another union. GRTU's cause is now officially dead.

Gerard Cassar

Mar 4th 2009, 19:59

Were a GWU man, such as a secretary presents his candidature as an MEPon behalf of the L.P. what woud be the reaction of all the sectors that are endorsing Mr.Vince Farrugia candidature?
A workmen's Trade Union would be considered as intrusion in the political field and the P.N. ,newspaper leaders' and letters galore would erupt in protestations condemning the move.
But the same move by merchants and employers in favour of the P.N. is seen as something natural
As we say in Maltese the oil surfaces the water, and the gallons of ink used years to condemn the GWU as a trade union that supported the Labour Party is seen in its true perspective.
The P.N. have lost one of its main arguments against both the GWU and the Labour Party.

Paul Camilleri

Mar 4th 2009, 19:35

If Vince Farrugia gets elected, how will the grtu convince its members that their representitives will not pull political carts once again but pull the members' needs??

If Vince Farrugia does not get elected, how can the grtu convince it members that their representitives are free from politicle ties and just pull the members' needs??

By the way I resigned from the GRTU some 5 years back when I was already feeling manipulated at the expense of my intelligence. I can now say I was not mistaken.

We need an alternative!! for our own sake and not some political need.

Shop owners take heed.

joseph sammut

Mar 4th 2009, 19:34

Mela tlifna l-boxxla: kif nistghu l-iswed nghidulu abjad, tlifna r-raguni jew.....!!!!

J Micallef

Mar 4th 2009, 19:29

What about the nomination of Edward Scicluna and Marlene Mizzi. Finanlly these people have shown their tru colours. One of them claimed to give pseudo impartial comments, whereas his underlying agenda was consistently there.

Since his announcement on PBS that the MLP has won the lection in 1996 (with a smirk on his face), I have always viewed Scicluna suspiciously. FInally people will see him to what he really was all along these years.

Michael Spiteri

Mar 4th 2009, 19:27

There you are. GRTU is a PN organisation.

Raymond Camilleri

Mar 4th 2009, 18:24

Remeber the celebrations with cash registers being dragged by cars after the 1996 elections? Vince Farrugia is one of the culprits of the economic problems caused by the removal of VAT and the replacement with CET...thanks Vince! PN? MLP? or whatever is convenient at the time!

Lou Ellul

Mar 4th 2009, 18:17

This is just an official endorsement of the age-old conviction that the PN is the "Partit tan-Negozjanti". Not that there was ever any doubt. Tajba Cens!

Ronnie Gauci

Mar 4th 2009, 18:06

Vince Farrugia is losing credibility in the eyes of many, same story as with Pippo Psaila, many used to admire persons like these as many thought they where above partisan politics, we where wrong, very wrong.

Maria Dolores Fenech

Mar 4th 2009, 18:03

Mr Farrugia wrote:

Joholmu
Ghax hi holma, holma kbira nobis, dik li xi hadd qed jghid li l-Unjoni Ewropea ser tifthilna l-opportunitajiet ghal investiment u x-xoghol. Meta? Ghada? Is-sena d-diehla? Lil min? Lit-tarzna? Lill-bdiewa? Lil manifattura? Lill-kummercjanti? Lil-lukandi? Lil min? Fejnhom il-fatti? Fejnhom il-figuri? Jekk il-gvern jibqa jimla ras in-nies bil-holm nibqghu nezlin. Ninzlu dejjem iktar l-isfel, fin-nizla tar-rovina. Ghax mhux vera li l-ekonomija qed tissahhah. Mhux vera li nvestituri u mprendituri Maltin ghandhom opportunitajiet ahjar li ser isibuhom ghada. Mhux vera li l-finanzi tal-gvern qed jitrangaw. Mhux vera li qed jinstabu opportunitajiet godda ta’ xoghol produttiv. Mhux vera qed jizdiedu l-proffitti, li huma l-akbar garanzija ghal aktar investiment fil-futur.

http://grtu.net/data/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=346&Itemid=26

Maria Dolores Fenech

Mar 4th 2009, 17:56

@ S Cassar

Credibility? Mr Farrugia took part in CNI meetings against the EU. Still unsure....?

http://www.kullhadd.com/?task=2&sectid=1&articleid=12649

mike pace

Mar 4th 2009, 17:51

The G.R.T.U had been sold out by Vince actions and its time that the concerned members set up a break away union before the pay up members put under the puppet string in the hands of the government

Ivan Scicluna

Mar 4th 2009, 17:47

Back to the old age of "ghaqda statutorja" GWU-MLP, this time its GRTU-PN with the Executive Council of the GRTU appealing to all GRTU Members to vote PN!!! What cheek! I receive instructions from my trade union on to whom shall I vote in a national election!! Quo Vadis GRTU and with you credibility you're also drowning the PN!!

Silvan Cutajar

Mar 4th 2009, 17:40

At J Cilia. If It were Tony Zarb contesting with the MLP and the GWU asking people to vote for him, what would people be saying here? easy...just convert the posts to the other side of the band-wagon! If anything however, GRTU is today much more politically inclined than even the GWU!

Abel Abela

Mar 4th 2009, 17:37

4 March 2009 is for the GRTU what 21 May 1978 was for the GWU.
Official act of union with the party in Government.
That's D for Democracy. Say cheese!

Oscar Cassar

Mar 4th 2009, 17:31

@ R Axisa

Please note that till some years ago the GWU was part of the MLP government and having Angelo Farrugia a member of the cabinet of ministers. That meant that the GWU was also responsible for a disastrous situation on those years, when it was part and parcel of the Muviment tal-Haddiema that brought wage freeze, lack of investment, political transfers while others won lotteries at political activities and the price being a job within a Gov entity. This not to mention the tension during those years that achieved its climax with political murders.

Now the situation is different were two separate entities have trusted a particular individual (Mr Farrugia). For me the conflict will be if Mr Farrugia will be elected as an MEP. Therefore such must be cleared by Mr Farrigia during his campaign, before we go to vote.

M.Buhagiar

Mar 4th 2009, 17:28

@ J.Cilia .

If you decide to vote for the PL , you will be voting for what the PL is presenting and not for its supporters . Every organisation be it political and non has different strata of supporters!!
I urge you to see the way in which PN supporters and much higher echelons in the PN have ganged together against Astrid Vella including the Queen of Queens Daphne .
I also invite you to see the way in which il cowboy Austin Gatt butchered the integrity of a private citizen in Parliament accusing him of helping the PL and NOW from the investigation it resulted in the NEGATIVE meaning that Austin had LIED !!!!!!

Dear J. Cilia should I continue ????

In the meantime , if you decide to vote PL , I would like to welcome you in our BIG family

Jeremy J Camilleri

Mar 4th 2009, 17:27

Once again J Farrugia is calling the kettle black.

Ronnie Gauci

Mar 4th 2009, 17:18

This is serious stuff, this guy played the part of the neutral and the indipendent in the days preceding the 2003 referendum and election and many people bit the bait thanks to persons like these who used to sit behind the PM en masse.

Seems like the salary as an MEP is higher than that of director-general of GRTU. I should have expected Mr. Farrugia to endorse his candidacy but as an indipendent candidate and not with a political party, the Nationalist Party. Please also note that Mr. Farrugia was a regular contributor in MLP papers and took also part in the CNI anti-EU campaign before for some reason he "saw the light".

K Bugeja

Mar 4th 2009, 17:14

And once PN attacked the GWU because it is pro-Labour.

I am a retailer, pro-PN, and for this time only I will not vote PN ... on one count only. I cannot trust Vince Farrugia because I need GRTU to defend my rights not government's.

What's happening to the PN?

Oscar Cassar

Mar 4th 2009, 17:14

This is quite interesting… and controversial… an opposite move to that adopted by the MUMN that did nit even wanted to be mentioned by Rudolph Cini in his CV as the ex-President. At least we can now see better pictures of Mr. Farrugia smiling while it shows that Maltese businessman have no politics, and aim to power as their first objective. Obviously if elected, Mr. Farrugia would be a good asset to their needs. This is basically the mentality of a ‘Popular’ party like the EPP.

Maltese people must understand that in such an election, like in the case of the Local Council elections, it is the individual that makes the difference more then the party’s manifesto. Obviously some basic political ideology is then also required. But I think it is quite fare that Mr. Farrugia clearly identifies his intension that if elected, he will resign from his post at the GRTU and therefore will be representing all Maltese at the European Parliament and not a particular category.

R Axisa

Mar 4th 2009, 17:10

What does the PN has to say now that a union is canvassing for a political party (PN)?? Up to some time ago, PN critised the union who gave its support to a political party. In what way have things changed?? Or what's not acceptable for one party, is acceptable to the other party?? Two weights and two measures. Also, up to some time ago, PN critised those MLP candidates for the EU parliament who were against full EU membership. Vince Farrugia, who is now a candidate for the EU Parliament under the PN flag, was also against the EU membership. In fact he was a speaker against the EU during CNI activities before the referendum. May be the PN line of thought has changed??? U-turns??? I wonder. What I know for sure is that Mr Farrugia has lost the credibility of many people.

J Farrugia

Mar 4th 2009, 17:07

dear labour sympathisers, please go back to the electoral defeat report which was commissioned by the MLP itself, and see for yourselves that all those reccommendations which were made are being blatantly ignored by all of you. You are repeating the ages old strategy of shooting yourselves in the foot. How about for once being positive and let sleeping dogs lie. you may win one, two, three, four local council elections or EP election but with your ngative and irresponsible and militant attitude you are confining yourselves to more years in Opposition. You're not even fit to sit on the Opposition benches let alone in Government. Your party changed many leaders, subleaders, etc. but you will never learn. The hatred you have for those who do not toe your militant party line is too green. Who knows if your party leans further to AD maybe someday the people will elect you to government.

V Fenech

Mar 4th 2009, 17:06

J Cilia

It is not a question of attitude, the thing is that we are fed up with this situation of offending the people's intelligence. Unions should not be threatened by political parties, that's all!Unfortunately PN is being brilliant in these farces and gimmicks.

The Nationalist Party is abusing the opportunism in people like Vince Farrugia. In fact you are right - its a saddening pity that gentleman like Alan Deidun are being associated with PN's recent disastrous performance, but the reson behind the response during this week are understandable.

J.Borg

Mar 4th 2009, 17:06

@ S.Cassar
Labour at a loss.......what a laugh!!!!

Mario Bonnici

Mar 4th 2009, 17:05

@J.Cilia
Just immagine what would have happened if Vince Farrugia or any other trade unionist had contested the election with the PL?
I can immagine the stream of condemnations. Just immagine that.

william sciberras

Mar 4th 2009, 17:05

I am a bit confused about Mr.Farrugia's statement that he will not speak on behalf of GRTU until the elections. Who will speak in the member's interests in the meantime? It seems to me that Mr.Farrugia is hanging on to his position within the GRTU just in case he is not elected. To go on to say that he expects his members to vote for him while not speaking on ther behalf is even more confusing.

R Grima

Mar 4th 2009, 17:05

Not only has Mr Farrugia lost all credibility but it seems the GRTU has gone up the wall as well.

Corinne Vella

Mar 4th 2009, 17:04

"The GRTU national council had endorsed the candidacy of Vince Farrugia for the European Parliament elections."

Would the GRTU ever ignore or condemn Vince Farrugia's candidacy, especially while he still holds the top job there?

Ethelbert Schembri

Mar 4th 2009, 17:01

So now it is confirmed the GRTU is another arm of the PN !

V.Micallef

Mar 4th 2009, 16:58

Is that supposed to be the formerly serious GRTU man Vince Farrugia or James Dean redivivus?

J Cilia

Mar 4th 2009, 16:56

There is quite a lot to criticise about the way the PN is going about governing Malta, to the point that if one traditionally voted PN, one by now would seriously consider shifting voting alliances, I fall in this category, however when yesterday's comments to Alan Deidun's EP candidacy and today's reaction to this article are closely evaluated it is quite easy to get the notion that PL supporters are extremely intollerant of anyone or any situation that somehow goes against their creed. Now some will say that the Nationalists do the same, that may be so, but the PN (in past elections) did not seem to have a credibility issue whilst the MLP did. The PL still has quite a few skeletons in the cupboard and this intollerant attitude by its supporters (min mhux maghna kontra taghna) is a shot in the foot. It most certainly raises apprehensions amongst floating and traditional PN voters.

J.Borg

Mar 4th 2009, 16:50

I agree with you V.Fenech......

is he stil going to pursue with his arguments with refernce to the utility tariffs or agree with the government now since he is part and parcel of GONZIPN

We know the saying....birds of the same feather flock together!!!!

S Cassar

Mar 4th 2009, 16:49

LABOUR IS AT A LOSS!

THE COMMENTS POSTED BY LABOUR APOLOGISTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!

FOR THOSE QUESTIONING FARRUGIA'S EU CREDENTIALS PERHAPS THIS ARTICLE CLARIFIES MATTERS! LOL

http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=807

V Fenech

Mar 4th 2009, 16:48

GRTU has become another SDM for the retailers and traders!

V Fenech

Mar 4th 2009, 16:40

How ridiculous can we go Vince???

Last time you said that you are going to take the Government to the European Courts of Justice with respect to the utility tariffs. If elected you will be nearer to the Court, what will you do?

C Calleja

Mar 4th 2009, 16:40

This decision means that the GRTU will now serve as a new PN branch.

Altough i have to note that Farrugia posses an interesting CV which includes speaking in CNI activities in 2001.

Abel Abela

Mar 4th 2009, 16:39

The GRTU has today officially joined the Nationalist Party.

P.Scicluna

Mar 4th 2009, 16:39

Does this mean that the GRTU is now canvasing for the PN?
GRTU please explain.

Silvan Cutajar

Mar 4th 2009, 16:38

Anqas jisthu dawn tal-GRTU. And funny thing is PN apologists really dont mind! If however it was some union supporting an MLP candidate, who knows what comments there would be! I believe GRTU have gone beyond what is expected of an independent union it calls itself.

Jeremy Portello

Mar 4th 2009, 16:36

This is obscene.

steve Bonnici

Mar 4th 2009, 16:28

GRTU lost it´s credibility! Pity !