GWU maintains freeport action, discusses garnishee order

Jeremy J Camilleri

Apr 12th 2009, 12:33

Evarist Saliba, Then I guess you should have a quick look at worker's rights today, and realise what they have lost for the sake of, as employers like to call it, economic stability.


As to your hitting an employer who is not involved, well, a million dollar question arises....Who is the employer here?

Mike Magri

Apr 12th 2009, 09:01

My Only Million Dollar Question Surrounding The Mysterious 'Mystery' Of This Whole Deal Is This.....

... WHAT is keeping WHOM from going into a most democratic system of The Secret BALLOT Poll...!!??

Conclusion: In My Opinion, The Longer It Takes To Do it, The MORE Suspecious It Gets For The.. Malta Dockers Union, The Malta Freeport And The Director Of Industrial Relations....!!

So... Please... LET Common Sense PREVAIL...

Evarist Saliba

Apr 12th 2009, 08:21

@ Jeremy J. Camileri
For your information I was a council member of the Malta Union of Teachers for more years than I can remember, and I also occupied the post of Vice-President for a long time, apart from finishing by becoming its President. No one is going to teach me about the rights of workers, including that of calling industrial action. However, with a great sense of responsibility I look on industrial action, especially that which hits an employer that is not directly involved, the economy of the country and, most important of all, the ultimate long-term interests of the workers themselves, with extreme prudence.

We have had many examples where obstinacy, a political agenda, and an inclination for militancy for its own sake, have led to dire consequences for the workers.

Joseph Ellul

Apr 12th 2009, 02:03

@all readers.. Just a word of warning. I am in Australia and we are going through a bad time in unemployment. Companies big and small are sacking workers. From what I hear and read some workers are offered volontary redunduncy while others are just sacked, depending on where you work. All I know is that no union can do anything to compensate for a lost job. BUT a union that starts industrial action in times like we are now can affect the future of all employees in that sector that action is taken. Right or wrong the GWU must stop aggressive action and go to the round table. I hear that Sicily is very active in trying to activate its owm free port and other maritime businesses.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Apr 11th 2009, 10:29

Joe Morana- It is the Director of labour who refuses to verify membership through union books proving paid up members. As you might well know, meaningful discussions between two rival unions might not always be an option, especially when there is a question mark as to the relationship between employers and certain unions.

Evarist Saliba. Full points regarding your comments regarding the 1996 strike. I on the under hand agreed with that strike. Does that mean that you believe do not agree with the right for a union to resort to industrial action because that might affect the business concerned?
Of course, that is usually the employers viewpoint, recession or no recession.

We also know how that usually ends...with the worker practically having no rights whatsoever. Is that your ideal scenario?

Joe Vella clearly, refuses to share his opinion as to the issue at hand.
He continues to state that the workers have spoken, when the truth of that statement is that all this is about the workers choice. Yes. They have spoken.....in favour of the GWU apparently,!
Why are you against secret ballots and prefer one on one interviews with a person whom you might not trust?

joe morana

Apr 11th 2009, 05:42

secret ballot is not a tangible evidence in itself of union membership but of preferences (just like the local and general elections) at the ballot box. In a secret ballot a person may vote for his preferred trade union (or party for that matter ) without even being a member of his chosen union.

Ideally workers should put their money (membership) where their mouth/ vote is. However, the issue it is not as simple as that. While Trade union Sole Recgnition clauses in collective agreements noramally stipulate the 50%+1 benchmark, there may be TWO unions that have 50%+1 membership of workers at the the same place of work.

I beleive that this is the issue which must be addressed through meaningful discussions not ballot boxes.

Evarist Saliba

Apr 10th 2009, 22:13

@ Jeremy J. Camilleri
Could you keep to the subject at issue?
The situation in the maritime container business then was not in the dire situation that it is today. Having said that I shall also satisfy your curiosity. I did not agree with the industrial action of the UHM.

Joe Vella (Mellieha.)

Apr 10th 2009, 21:19

@ Jeremy J, Camilleri

What is ironic is that you cannot see the light on the other side of the tunnel.

If I was the GWU better smarten up or that avalanche I spoke about will come down in full force and there will be no stopping it.

The workers have spoken and it is the GWU who is trying to gain something from what it has been lost. I think the GWU is acting this way in an attempt to preempt any attempt I talked about previously.

Since the GWU lost this round, watch out.

Anthony Magri

Apr 10th 2009, 20:03

Freeport in the hands of foreigners and pushed from behind by we know who is the symbol of the capitalist that used to suck the blood of workers and if possible make them work for free just as slaves used to. It is presumed that the freeport will be facing a world wide boycott for their silly action against the GWU. It is such a scenario that Mr. E.Saliba should have foreseen. It is expected that the whole Labour movement declares its solidarity with the GWU and the whole Trade Union movement Who never ceased to complain about his pay it is strange to see him siding with the capitalist, it is a shame

Jeremy J Camilleri

Apr 10th 2009, 19:33

J Busuttil...so you are in favour of a one on one interview rather than a secret ballot? You must have democratic credentials....Perhaps you would agree that all elections are held in such a manner? What was your position vis a vis industrial action taken under a PL Government? Was that not harming the country? Whats that word again?

Joe Cassar

Apr 10th 2009, 19:15

Mr Marsh is right - this is a direct attack on trade-unionism in general in Malta. The rights of the workers have already been heavily eroded. This could be the coup de grace. Remember Pastor Neimoller. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came...

J Busuttil

Apr 10th 2009, 18:48

The GWU should stop their actions having lost the representation issue. This is not the time for disputes which harm the country. The PL also have a responsability in this issue and must stop the union that supports the party (as is shown in l-Orizzont and It-Torca) in its actions at the port which only harm the country in these troubled international economic times.

C. Marsh

Apr 10th 2009, 18:41

i believe all unions should join together on this issue. Today it's the GWU tomorrow it could well be you.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Apr 10th 2009, 18:41

Evarist Saliba., could you kindly enlighten us as to your opinion regarding the Freeport strike organised by th UHM in 1996?

Jeremy J Camilleri

Apr 10th 2009, 18:40

Joe Vella...I guess that John Debono should thank you then.... But then again, you could have attempted a better response in his stead! Your comment is rather ironic, as we are discussing an issue in which, a couple of years ago, the workers did exactly as you are predicting(predicting the past isn't magic is it?), and formed a house union..... AFter only a few years, the workers have realised that their own union has, to put it lightly, let it down. Consequently they have realised that in the circumstance, the GWU would be the best option. In case you hadn't noticed, that is what this issue is all about. Of course, people like you, who are paladins of democracy are dead set against a secret ballot, are you not? It would be enlightening were you to explain why!!!! Paul Barret, just for your information, it is the Director of Labour, and NOT the GWU who refuses to check Union records as to paid up members. As a show of hands...well, that is a ridiculous suggestion. One last simple question, which remains unanswered...perhaps Joe Vella and his team could answer...Just who employs these workers?

Josephine Galea

Apr 10th 2009, 18:32

Fully agree with G. Camilleri. GWU and the rest were right to vehemently protest against the W and E Tariffs but GWU now got it all wrong. They should respect the office of the Director of Industrial Relations which independently verified according to all which of the two Unions enjoys the majority. There is absolutely NO dispute between the GWU and Freeport Management. I think some one urgently needs to mediate and convince GWU of their mistake.

G Camilleri

Apr 10th 2009, 18:09

GWU together with ten other Unions were completely correct in seriously criticising the Government for the hefty increase in the Water and Electricity Tariffs and the recent increase in the price of Gass Cylinders. I believe they should all together continue on this track. However I am sorry to say that on the question of the FreePort Action and majority recognition, they got it ALL wrong. No wonder we have heard nothing so far from the other Unions.

Paul Barrett

Apr 10th 2009, 18:05

Could this not be sorted in 30 minutes. Method 1. All the workers sign in and stand in one group. All those in the GWU move to one side, all those in the MDU move to the other and all those in either both or neither unions stay in the middle. Line up the groups and count heads (by an independent personality who can be trusted, can count and do this in the presence of members of the Press). Method 2. Presuming all members have to be currently paid up members of the union, each union present it's CERTIFIED ROLL OF PAID UP MEMBERS from the Freeport. These names are then compared with the employment roll and against each other which should then give the respective majority. Present the numbers to the Press for publication and get on with the job.

Evarist Saliba

Apr 10th 2009, 17:59

At a moment when owners of container ships are claiming that their business has plumeted, and many ships are lying idle, is it wise, or in the workers best interest, to create trouble in our freeport? Calling the GWU's directives as harmless is ridiculous. If that were so there is no need for them and the GWU should should stop them. Let us learn from the intransigence and folly of Arthur Scargill in the UK.

Joe Vella (Mellieha.)

Apr 10th 2009, 17:57

@ Jeremy J Camilleri I have a feeling that I spelled the beans; and unknowingly offered John Debono's opinion on a platter to you.

Joe Vella (Mellieha.)

Apr 10th 2009, 17:54

@ Jeremy J Camilleri It might be to late to climb the mountain, unless the GWU and its' leadership smarten up quickly and start representing the workers and only the workers. On the horizon I see a avalanche taking shape. More and more workers will be tempted and break up from the GWU and form their own Union. Wouldn't be funny if some of these newly formed Unions, on behalf of their members, will go after the assets of the GWU since it was the very same workers contributed over the years for these assets.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Apr 10th 2009, 17:28

Joe Camilleri...Lets climb that mountain then!!!! John Debono..I am sure that your opinion regarding this issue at hand is fresh, challenging and knowledgable.... Could we have it please?

joe camilleri

Apr 10th 2009, 16:43

Good leaders take you up the mountain,bad leaders take you down the drain.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Apr 10th 2009, 16:26

C Camilleri...You always make statements...but I have a fleeting suspicion that you have absolutely no knowleDGe of the subject concerned.

john debono

Apr 10th 2009, 16:15

OMG extinction of the GWU??????? Would be nice to see that while Mintoff is still alive and H.E The President of the Republic in his post. Yamm Yamm..those offices would be nice seen as some art center in the heart of Valletta.............I think its time to say Issa Daqshekk to the GWU itself.

c.camilleri

Apr 10th 2009, 16:01

Is this the right time for such foolishness.? I hope no one will blame the Govt if the Freeport is compelled to shed up some of its workforce. It seems that the GWU as always puts its interests before those of the worker. It only recognise the results when they are in its favour.

d.attard

Apr 10th 2009, 15:20

We can now analyse Government behaviour over a track record stretching beyond twenty years.

And in my eye, the results are plain to see.

Unions and the press have, in my opinion, been practically diluted. Even holding a harmless protest has been made to look a hammalagni etc.

I see elections as nothing more than a marketing challenge that excites the whatever buds of technocrats who revel at defying the odds.

The GWU facing extinction? I will not be surprised at all. Leadership has proved to be inadequate in the face of the kind of onslaught from all quarters, some justified, most not, it experienced over so many years.

Take stock. Open up to the right forces to gain a vision. Get the right people in to implement the said vision, but keep at bay the obvious forces that seek to neuter the union...tough call...but if this fails we might be back at the foot of the mountain with a long and winding road to negotiate...good luck.