No letup in GWU-Freeport dispute

The Labour Party has urged Malta Freeport and the GWU to resolve their current dispute over union recognition as soon as possible in the interests of the workers and trade unionism.

Employment relations spokesman Anglu Farrugia urged the freeport to make a gesture of good will by safeguarding trade union rights and the rights of the workers.

However, the dispute showed no signs of letup today.

The GWU claimed this afternoon that Malta Freeport had suspended three of its members, including its shop steward, for obeying a union directive. It said their suspension was another threat to trade unionism after the €1 million garnishee order which Malta Freeport obtained when industrial action was ordered last week.

The union also said it had asked the Commissioner of Police to institute court action against Uwe Malezki, the freeport managing director, and John Portelli, a director, in connection with evidence they gave in court last week, when the claimed that the freeport had already suffered €1 million in damages as a result of the industrial action ordered by the GWU.