GWU warns of action at STMicroelectronics
The General Workers' Union registered an industrial dispute with ST Microelectronics, accusing the company of failing to pay its workers wage increases and bonus they were promised.
The union said the wages increases had been agreed upon in a 2006 collective agreement and were scheduled to come into force on April 1. It warned that if the company - which two months ago announced it would be cutting its workforce by up to 450 - persisted in not paying, the necessary action would be taken to safeguard the workers' interests.
It wrote to the Finance Ministry and to the Director of Employment and Industrial Relations asking for a conciliation meeting.
ST Microelectronics human resources manager Tonio Portughese said when contacted he would not comment on the matter.
In February, ST Microelectronics said it would be cutting its workforce in Malta through layoffs and natural wastage. With a payroll of 1,927, the redundancies account for 23 per cent of the workforce. Between 250 and 300 jobs are expected to be lost either through retirement or the non-renewal of temporary contract workers.
The planned layoffs came in the light of several companies, such as Methode Electronics, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions and Stainless Steel Products, that ordered their workforce to a four-day working week. These later returned to a five-day working week after receiving government aid.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
9 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Joseph W. Galea
Apr 30th 2009, 01:49
@ Emmanuel Zammit.
It is people like you that chases a business out of the Island. Maybe you should stay home and demand that the government sends you a pay cheque on a weekly basis.
Patrick Cilia
Apr 29th 2009, 09:21
It is amazing when one reads that, despite so many economic and social problems, the "largest" union on the islands persists in asking for pay increases that had been decided three years ago. In the last three years, international companies and large multinationals have revized their policies and strategies to try and save jobs and production and here we are ploughing ahead with strike threats...really shrewd...I feel sorry for the members of this union who must feel they have boarded a runaway train on a collision course with a thick, high, concrete wall!
Joseph W. Galea
Apr 29th 2009, 09:19
@Jeremy J Camilleri
>>>>That an employer can reduce a workers wages with no consultation?
lgalea
Apr 28th 2009, 17:26
lisa galea
No rights were ever given to anyone on a silver platter.
The workers must stand against employers using the world situation to erode the workers rights.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Apr 28th 2009, 15:09
So what exactly are Lisa Galea and E Bonello suggesting?
That an employer can reduce a workers wages with no consultation?
lisa galea
Apr 28th 2009, 13:03
So is the union suggesting that 'safe guarding the workers interest' is making the worker bite the hand that feeds him. What is better a job today or none tomorrow? Is the Union on a mission to make workers loose their jobs. Will it take responsibilities of its actions, if its actions bring redundancies.
E Bonello
Apr 28th 2009, 12:57
yes, lets put more pressure on a company that is threatening to close down due to more competitive markets with better wages...lets make it easier for them to leave the island affecting hundreds of its suppliers! We never learn! its not the time for such actions!
emmanuel zammit
Apr 28th 2009, 12:49
WE WANT OUR MONEY!!!!AFTER ALL THIS IS ONLY A SMALL PART OF THE REAL AMOUNT!!!
AND BY THE WAY IF THE COMPANY HAVE PROBLEMS ..THE GOVERMENT SHOULD PAY US!!
MARK SMITH
Apr 28th 2009, 12:23
It it about time the company paid what was agreed!!
The company wants always. They want to reduce the salaries of the shop floor workers but what about the salaries of the managers!!