Editorial
Time for the GWU to rebrand its tactics
When a commercial company or an organisation feels it needs a boost, it often resorts to rebranding. The General Workers' Union has timed its rebranding with the 66th anniversary of its foundation. Besides refurbishing the entrance to its headquarters in Valletta, it has also changed its logo, membership card and website. More importantly, it is expanding its services to members and their families in a bid to provide a holistic service.
All this is well and good. But there is one particular aspect that needs rebranding most: its attitude. The GWU comes across as acting too aggressive, too politically motivated, when it comes to deal with a Nationalist government. Now, most unions, openly or not, tend to side with one political party or another but in the case of the GWU its alliance with the Labour Party has been generally seen as being far too strong. Again, such strong alliances may work well in some countries but in such a small, politically-divided and politically-fanatic island, it does not.
This is why so many look at the GWU as a political trade union. This has generally worked against its interests. Which is not to say that the union has not done any good to its members. Of course, it has, in the same way other unions have over the years. But the GWU has not always acted strictly as a trade union because many of its actions were seen to have been politically motivated as was the case, for instance, when it paralysed Malta Drydocks for seven months through an overtime ban.
The history of the times under the socialist Administration of Dom Mintoff, especially during the statutory partnership sealed with the Malta Labour Party in 1978, is replete with instances when the union stood back as the government fought tooth and nail what were then called the free trade unions (to distinguish them from the GWU).
At one time, the government had even refused to recognise partial industrial action and no fewer than 900 bank employees were suspended. Doctors taking partial industrial action were locked out and workers reporting sick risked having policemen knocking on their doors in no time.
So, when the GWU says it has always striven for unity among trade unions, this past perspective jumps out of history to remind us of times past. The statutory partnership with Labour has long been forgotten, though the union is still regarded as a political trade union. All this will not come as music to the ears of the GWU but if the union wants to be, as it says, credible, it would need to be more realistic in its attitude and dealings with the Nationalists whenever they are in government, as they are now.
Far too often, the union's voice is strident, sometimes even inflammatory, putting off even those who generally look at the GWU sympathetically. Trade union militancy is par for the course in trade unionism but if the union wants to attract new members it would need to change its tune and rebrand the tactics it uses in the ongoing drive to defend the workers' interests at their place of work and, generally, to help bring about improvement in the conditions of work.
The new initiatives it is taking, including what it is calling as the social tourism project, and the formulation of policy papers, are commendable but what most outside its orbit are expecting now is a rebranding of its tactics.
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Gerard Cassar
Oct 9th 2009, 16:35
The Times of Malta (editorial) has every right to criticise whoever it thinks, but it has no right to try and draw the GWU into a controversy. The TOM has always been seen as, so to say against the GWU. Try to suggest to its employees to join the GWU and see the result.
It does not have a real interest in the GWU except to undermine it and to try to discourage membership.One has to look for mid-day at two oclock to read something positive about the good work of the GWU. This position is not understood,because it appears to be against something just for the fun of it. Were people to point out a newspaper that is seen as always trying to find fault with the administration of the GWU and felt to be against it, those pointing to the TOM/STOM will outnumber any others like a tsunami.
Lino DeBono
Oct 9th 2009, 16:10
Sir,
After reading your editorial I find it one sided in attributing political strikes only to the GWU in regard only to Drydock workers in the late sixties. The GWU never hid the fact that it supports Labour. This fact was so from the very begining.
What was left out in your editorial is the other side of the coin when so many political strikes were carried out in the seventies by various Unions who's Leaders politically did support the Nationalist Party. This alliance is more subtle and refined.
It has to be noted the 7 month strike authorized by a Union over the introduction of the Punch Cards. Dr Fenech Adami paid them the full 7 months wages when elected as Prime Minister.
Also the consecutive industrial actions (?) carried out by the Medical Sector, the Banks, Clerks etc.. Most on sympathy grounds.
My conviction supported by thousands more, believe that these actions were political.
These were not minor strikes - but definatley major ones. Claims for LM9 weekly pay raise etc.
To leave these facts out and only put the onus on the GWU, I find it discriminating and too much one sided.
Lino DeBono
Xewkija.
J Martinelli
Oct 9th 2009, 14:48
Re-branding, in GWU's mind, is presenting a box with new wrapping yet with the same old ingredients. The fuss and the new lobby and logo will fast be forgotten.
What will not be easily forgotten is the hike of 33% in dues to the same Union which is supposed to safeguard the very interests of its members.
However, it will be yet another incentive for the GWU to ask for better COLA and increase in wages so that its members can afford the higher dues.
Neville Zammit
Oct 9th 2009, 12:41
While i tend to agree that every union and every organisation needs its rebranding from time to time, I cannot understand why "The Times" is always trying to put in a bad light the GWU lexactly like the PN do.
Yes, its true that there is a sympaty between the PL and the GWU but that's nothing out of the ordinary, in many countries, even modern european onces you find unions which identify themselves with a particular political party.
After all once Eddie Fenech Adami said that "we need our union", referring to the UHM. Everyone knows that the UHM is close to the PN but we rarely assist to any attacks on the UHM by the PL!
Lets understand that everyone must have the freedom to identify himself/herself to any political party instead of trying to discredit them.
Joseph Buttigieg Attard
Oct 9th 2009, 11:12
Single out the GWU isn’t fair at all!? What about the others unions?
What you pointed out and addressed (which I agree with) should be directed to ALL Unions! And to some Unions much more then the GWU!