Freeport, GWU lift actions against each other
The Freeport and the General Workers' Union have withdrawn actions against each other following a meeting led by Social Policy Minister John Dalli.
The trade recognition issue at the heart of the dispute will be discussed between all concerned at a meeting later this week, the Social Policy Ministry said.
Both the GWU and the Malta Dockers Union are claiming recognition at Malta Freeport. The company had recognised the MDU after a verification exercise conducted by the Director of Employment and Industrial Relations. The GWU, however, slammed the verification process after holding a secret ballot which, it said, showed it had majority backing.
The union almost two weeks ago ordered a go-slow and work to rule at the freeport. The company in turn, took the issue to court and had a €1m garnishee order issued against the GWU as a guarantee for damages which the freeport said it had suffered.
This morning the GWU said the freeport had reinstated workers which, it said, were suspended for taking industrial action.
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John Zammit
Apr 21st 2009, 21:20
@ Patrick Vella
Iz-zejt ftit ftit tiela f'wicc l-ilma my friend....why do you think the MDU did not want a secret ballot? and why did the Director of Employment and Industrial Relations conduct a North Korea style verification process??Yes my friend the agreement reached between the Freeport, the Government and the GWU is a victory for democracy and freedom of association!!
Paul Barrett
Apr 21st 2009, 20:26
Excellent photograph.
Albert Zammit
Apr 21st 2009, 20:05
insomma is soltu , kollox ghal gallarija. sekwestri u kummiedji imbaghad treggew kollox lura. kummiedji bla censura
Alfred Saliba
Apr 21st 2009, 19:10
When is the Director of Employment and Industrial Relations going to publish the result of the verification process? If he had nothing to hide this should have been done immediately for the sake of fairness, tranparency and industrial demoracy. Or is this a case of mhux fl-interess tal-poplu!
Patrick Vella
Apr 21st 2009, 19:06
@ Mr. John Zammit
Are you living in Malta or you are dreaming ?????
John Zammit
Apr 21st 2009, 16:50
This is a victory for the GWU, the Freeport and the government, however not the same could be said of the MDU and the Director of Employment & Industrial Relations who could have averted the escalation had he intervened from the start. This surely would not have happened under Frank Pulicino who was respected by all.
d. borg
Apr 21st 2009, 16:45
Let common sense prevail. These workers should decide once and for all which union they want to represent them.
joe Morana
Apr 21st 2009, 16:42
Good news indeed. Now business as usual for the benefit of all concerned.
Paul Vella
Apr 21st 2009, 16:37
At last!!!