Eleven trade unions which are objecting to the utility tariffs have hit out at the Prime Minister for a speech in Parliament last week, saying he had misinterpreted a letter which they had sent MPs.

MUT President John Bencini, speaking on behalf of the unions, said it was not true that the trade unions had ditched solidarity. When, in their letter to MPs, they spoke of ekwita’ they meant fairness and not equality among people of all incomes, as Dr Gonzi had said during the debate on the tariffs on Tuesday.

Mr Bencini, along with GWU General Secretary Tony Zarb and MUMN President Paul Pace, accused the government of ignoring the unions and of trying to steamroll them. “Where has social dialogue gone?” Mr Bencini asked.

Mr Zarb said the unions would campaign abroad about the way the government was treating the unions and the people. He also warned that the trade unions may step up directives if the current situation did not improve.

Asked what the unions expected of the forthcoming revision of the tariffs, Mr Zarb said the unions expected real, not cosmetic reductions.