Juan Ameen
Police, soldiers, unions and security
National security would not be affected in any way if police and army officers form part of a union, which as employees they have every right to do, according to the two largest trade unions.
Although the law lays down that police and army officers are not allowed to form part of a trade union, the General Workers' Union and the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin insist that members of the security forces are still employees and should, therefore, enjoy the right of association.
In fact, in other countries, even in the EU, police and army personnel formed part of trade unions without adversely affecting national security, GWU general secretary, Tony Zarb said.
Obviously, certain parameters had to be set but unionisation was possible, he added.
The union last week called on the government to grant union rights, such as the right for collective bargaining, to members of the police and the army. The appeal was made after 1,473 police officers, including senior officers, filed a judicial protest against the Police Commissioner for unpaid overtime dating back to 1993.
Mr Zarb said the union was in contact with other European organisations to discuss how the officers could form part of a union. "Police officers want to form part of a union but are afraid to speak about it in public," he said.
Similarly, UĦM general secretary Gejtu Vella insisted that forming part of a trade union would not affect the country's security.
"It is the right of every person who gives a service to form part of a union," he argued.
In April, the UĦM invited Hermann Feiner, chairman of the European Police Union, for talks in Malta. During his two-day visit, Mr Feiner discussed the possible unionisation of the forces with Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg, Police Commissioner John Rizzo and the chairman of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, Sonny Portelli.
Although Mr Vella said the Police Commissioner ruled out the possibility, Mr Portelli and Dr Borg said they were both open to discussing the idea.
Ray Arpa, from the Għaqda Dipendenti Suldati, an organisation bringing together soldiers' dependants, echoed Mr Zarb's words and said many soldiers wanted to form a union but feared declaring it publicly.
"We have been fighting for soldiers' basic rights so they would form part of a union. It is their basic right," he said.
The Maltese army is based on the English system, which does not allow soldiers to form part of a union.
The Scandinavian and Danish army, in contrast, had very powerful unions and, yet, they did not compromise the country's security, Mr Arpa said.
Similarly, Neville Muscat, from the Malta Police Association, said police officers felt the need to join a union, one that was in-house. This, he added, would not in any way affect the country's security.
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David Saliba
Nov 6th 2009, 10:39
Although I have my own reservations and opinion for the police force to be able to join a union other then an 'in house' one, I feel that comments coming from outside quarters and beyond the force do not reflect the current state of our force. Con-currently I feel disappointed to read that someone comments in such a negative tone towards the current Commissioner Mr John Rizzo. Sure no one is perfect, and there may be areas where improvement in called upon, but just to sit back and see what The Malta Police Association has achieved today under Mr Rizzo was a wishfull dream in my days.
A.Cassar
Nov 5th 2009, 22:59
To those of you that fail to agree with what I said !
If the policeforce want conditions like the rest of Europeans , well then they have to start proving to Mr. John Rizzo that they are worthy of it !!
The minute he gives an order for some transfers or daily occurences to proceed , the same minute these blood suckers contact there favourite MP s . In Europe nobody knows the MPs , in glorious Malta a new entrant into the police force will have his MP for backing . If you dont believe me ask around yourself .
P.S. I know what I am saying !!!
Joe Cordina
Nov 5th 2009, 12:54
I do not agree with the statement by the police commissioner by which he was reported to have totally outruled the possibility of a union for the police. Such sweeping statements do not give credit to this gentleman and his rank. The least he should have said is that he would listen to suggestions. And by the way, would not such a union also benefit himself as he is also a polcie officer? Or is it ok for him to head the inhouse union (federation) and keep tabs on it?
D. A . Agius
Nov 5th 2009, 10:16
"Similarly, Neville Muscat, from the Malta Police Association, said police officers felt the need to join a union, one that was in-house"
NO, too much things get swept under the carpet when things are done indoors. If you want to keep thing quiet, it means you have things to hide, of which the police administration has warehouses full of them.
If we really want to start professionalising the force, you have to treat its members professionally, not like retards or invalids.
A definite NO to in house unions, of which the police have had a half baked one for ages , but rather either an established trade union or a sectoral union for armed forces and police which can speak out in the open without fear of reprisal through transfers, getting discredited by the force with lies or half truths, getting disadvantaged at promotion time or when given work assignments.
Anything short is just another lack of basic employee rights and disrespect towards people who any given day of the year have an obligation to participate in events from which most of the rest of the population would stay well away.