Attempt at mediation in Freeport union recognition issue
Merseyside TUC has expressed support for the GWU in its dispute with Malta Freeport on union recognition and called on other trade unions to do likewise.
Meanwhile, Michael Parnis, deputy general secretary of the GWU has revealed that an attempt at mediation has been made and the union is waiting for more contacts.
The indication of the mediation effort was disclosed in a letter which Mr Parnis wrote on Friday to John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation. The letter was published by Merseyside TUC.
The letter was sent after a court, at the request of Malta Freeport, issued a €1 million garnishee order against the GWU after it ordered a go slow and work to rule at the freeport.
Merseyside TUC said the action "of the state, the courts, government and the employers is outrageous and reminds many British Unions of Margaret Thatcher in her attempts to smash the Unions in Britain."
It said the worldwide trade union movement would "not stand idly by and watch the disproportionate action of the Malta courts to sequestrate G.W.U. of one million euros."
It also condemned the Malta Dockers Union for having, it claimed, supported the action of the employer and the courts against the GWU.
"Merseyside T.U.C. also criticises the statement made in today’s The Sunday Times by so-called economic analyst John Cassar White, who said the G.W.U. action was the "wrong message to foreign investors and was endangering jobs. Merseyside T.U.C. would say that the disproportionate actions of the courts in sequestrating an independent Union was the wrong action and wrong message to millions of Unions members across Europe and the world who are considering holidaying in Malta. This action could put in danger the excellent work the G.W.U. with its new tourist initiative for international Trade Unions Federation and its social hub," the Merseyside trade union group said.
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P.Zammit
Apr 12th 2009, 20:09
umm, in fact Thatcher is remember for bringing the selfish unions to their knees and making Britain of the time an economic super power. It is good that she was named here. Lest we forget, had she not done so, then so many British people would have long ago been without a job. Although one cannot brush aside the good of the unions, when unions turn capricious, then it's time to remove (metaphorically speaking) such union. GWU, under Tony Zarb has been a disgusting union, lest we forget the many inside battles that occured there some years ago, with people leaving that union accusing the GWU & Toni Zarb of working against the workers interest.
j.Cassar White
Apr 12th 2009, 18:08
My comments to The sunday Times were more extensive than those reported in the newspaper. For the sake of accuracy, I summarise the points that I made:
a. In the current difficult world economic crisis an industrial dispute in our Freeport could send the wrong message to foreign investors with interests in Malta;
b. While both the GWU and the Freeport management may have been acting within their legal rights when they took the action that they did, the outstanding problems should be resolved in a Court of Law and not through extended confrontation;
c. Our main concern should be to protect jobs of workers who depend on the Freeport directly or indirectly. Such jobs could be jeopardised if disputes extend for any length of time.
While I respect the right of everyone to agree or disagree with these views, I leave it to the common sense of readers to decide whether my views make sense. In the meantime I welcome all attempts for mediation to resolve this issue.
J. Cassar White
David Pisani
Apr 12th 2009, 16:54
Where are all those that speak about democracy in Malta. What about the current situation in Malta?
Cassar White you talked about investors, but what about the right of the worker to vote freely. What about the future of Trade unions in Malta, collective bargaining and Industrial democracy. I thought you gonna critisise Dr Noel Vella on this. But you only choose to criticise GWU.
C.caruana
Apr 12th 2009, 13:08
It's a shame. Let us not forget our past, when the workers were being treated like animals, when woman gave birth in factories and when children were being used in the labour market (although there are still children working in variuos parts of the world). All the rights that the workers have today are the hard work done by various Unions throughout the years.
GWU don't give up!
The left is still alive because there are battles to be fought, because we have new challenges and we will be there, anytime and everywhere to fight for the rights of the oppressed!!
Jeremy J Camilleri
Apr 12th 2009, 12:17
Well said...Thats what solidarity is all about!!!!!!!
Please choose the reason of your report below: