Claudia Calleja
GWU aims for second vote at ST
ST: GWU calls on government to be clear
The General Workers Union will today be inviting the management of ST Microelectronics to discuss making changes to the package of austerity measures rejected by workers in a vote last week.
GWU section secretary Andrew Mizzi said he hoped some changes would be agreed upon so that they would then be presented to the workers for a second vote.
The union would do anything to encourage further investment in the interests of its members, said Mr Mizzi.
He was speaking to The Times after the Prime Minister yesterday called on workers and the union not to "sabotage" the investment agreement reached between the government and ST, which employs over 1,400 workers.
Two weeks ago, Lawrence Gonzi announced an agreement with the world's fifth largest semiconductor company on an aid package designed to secure the company's future in Malta, through a new high-end production line at its Kirkop plant.
At the time, no mention was made of the austerity measures but after GWU members voted down the deal last Friday, it transpired that the investment was conditional on the new measures being approved.
The measures, intended to save around €600,000 (negotiated down from a package saving €3 million) in the short term, would also have meant a wage-rise freeze for two years while new employees would start work on minimum wage.
The cost-cutting measures contained in the package were aimed at ensuring the company's competitiveness and securing its presence in Malta, Dr Gonzi said yesterday as he urged workers to reflect on the potential repercussions of their decision.
Speaking during a radio interview, he also called on the GWU, representing them, to show a sense of leadership.
Mr Mizzi explained that since the austerity measures fell under the collective agreement, the union decided that it was best for its members to make the decision but only 59 per cent of the 925 eligible voters, members of the GWU, had cast their vote.
Members may have been misled because the government had gone ahead and announced ST's investment before the deal was concluded, he added. This gave workers the wrong impression that it would go ahead despite their vote.
He called on the government to be clear with the workers and explain to them why they were being asked to accept austerity measures from a company that planned to make further investment in the country.
The developments come after the multi-national company downsized its workforce by about 400 after facing worldwide difficulties, amid fears that the company might relocate its Malta plant to another country.
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Stephen Grech
Jul 13th 2010, 10:02
Once again, the game of half truths being played by the government.
When the news clip was aired, I never heard that such investment was subject to any condition. Both Gonzi and Tonio had the usual smile on their face. May I ask why aren't all cards laid down infront of us, but only those who make Gonzi PN look right.
The usual tactics, when all facts emerge, then we find a scape goat, most often the GWU then the workers. Wonder why the management team or high goverment officials are never mentioned when things go wrong.
In the eighties it was a moral sin being on a wage freeze, nowadays wage cuts should be the norm for some individuals, provided of course it's not their wage. Yet Milions of commissions to certain party pushers aren't of any concern to some loyal Maltese citizens.!
Joseph Cauchi
Jul 12th 2010, 18:18
I am somewhat surprised how people like Jeremy J. Camilleri and Peter Busuttil would rather prefer to have their comrades-in-arms lose their job, than accepting some adjustments in their work conditions for a temporary period until the global recession had done its course, and thus become UNEMPLOYED and with NO Euros in their pockets! Is this what the families of their comrades-in-arms want? I doubt it! Aren’t we aware of the Global recession we’re in and also that due to the Globalisation of free trade it has become more cost effective and profitable-wise for such companies to invest in the Far Eastern countries, like China, Malaysia, India and Bangladesh, rather than countries in the EU, including Malta? When are we going to open our eyes and see the world as it really is and not be blinkered with outdated ideologies that have been dead and buried for the past decades by all the free world? We are in 2010 and not 1917, for goodness sake! JC.
A. Borg
Jul 12th 2010, 20:03
Mhux hekk. Mela is-sagrificcji l-haddiema biss iridu jaghmluhom! Mela ta fuq kullhadd jiehu l-perkacci u karrozzi bix-xufier u mobile imhallas u allowances u l-haddiem jiehu l-piz. Biex igibuhom paga pjaga ahjar jirregistraw jiehdu l-benefficji u jdawwru lira baxx baxx ghax imorru ahjar!
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jul 13th 2010, 09:55
Joseph Cauchi...not to long ago we were being told we were out of the woods. You mention some adjustments. Could you tell us what these 'adjustments' are? DOn't tell me that you don't really know!
Of course, if you are harping on about a recession, it would be good to check how recently appointed Govt consultants and Chairmen are paid....No austerity measures for them, just because they're all expensive cars!
Of course, that is besides the point. The points I have made have been that:
A) the Prime Minister has no place issuing statements in the name of a Multi national company.
B)Our law allows workers to negotiate their agreements.
C) The Government has been continuosly threatened by ST leaving, after allowing the company to become almost the sole source of export income in Malta and has effectively become a mouthpiece for this company, and of course,
D)the way in which this companies 'investment' was heralded whilst leaving out the 'hidden' negatives.
c. camilleri
Jul 12th 2010, 16:32
@ Jeremy J Cammilleri. If you want to learn something about lose of rights and benefits of workers pls read what the ex General Secretary of the GWU the late J Attard Kingsway said.
Then you can compare the treatment of the workers by the Workers' Govt at that time with present treatment..
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jul 12th 2010, 17:27
My conclusions are not reached by reading the opinion of one sole person. I prefer to learn from personal experience, and from the experiences I witness occuring to those around me in the present.
I suggest you do the same.
anthony borg
Jul 12th 2010, 15:14
@ ST Haddiema. Thallux il-GWU tilaghab bikom bhall ma kienet laghbet bil-Haddiema tal-Phoenicia u tas-Sea Malta.
C.camilleri
Jul 12th 2010, 12:41
Vizzjoni 2015
Aktar xoghol u xoghol ahjar.
Irkibna il mewg.
EU ghalina u ghal uliedna.
Hrigna mir-ricessjoni.
U, issa? Jew tnaqqis fil kundizzjinijiet u introjtu jew neddu li nghalqu il fabrika. U minn fuq iwahhlu fil haddiema u fl-union li mhux jikkoperaw.
Peter Busuttil
Jul 12th 2010, 12:38
@ Joseph Cauchi
The way I see it, according to those employees who cast their vote, out from the golden egg will hatch an ugly duckling.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jul 12th 2010, 12:11
Once again our Prime Minister has showed a stunning talent in giving the good news without even hinting if there are any negatives.
Only a week ago he was telling us how ST would be upgrading its production here in Malta. I guess he forgot to tell us that that this meant that workers would once again lose rights and benefits, and that they were never in the equation when he was negotiating in their stead.
Of course, our law gives workers the right to decide on their future, and the decison to accept worse conditions should be solely in their hands...
Of couse you'll have the Joseph Cauchi s and Marija Saccos of this world telling them to accept or risk ending up without a job...but in the end, its not really their decison to take.
Of course, it is ironic that just like in the early 80's the country has gone around full circle, and we are once again told by our Government and its supporters that a job is a scare, precious, commodity and that the conditions of employment are only secondary....
We'll be having Korpi and Dejma next...and some people will applaud...
Gerard Cassar
Jul 12th 2010, 11:44
All the projects the P.N. is envisaging will come to fruition during Labour Government. This is part of Gonzi malicious planning. Spending millions that will have to be paid by the next administration.
On the other hand the S.T. situation shows defeatism from the part of Gonzi and his Party, as well as several bloggers. “Coraggio fuggiamo!”
Were we not told that S.T. had invested in new machinery and the government was ready to help the firm that is the main exporter in Malta?
Now it results that the Firm is in “supposed” financial difficulties. The cause could be the electricity and water exaggerated tariffs introduced by Gonzi and Fenech. And Gonzi is asking the employees to make further sacrifices so that S.T. will not leave Malta because it is the main exporter. If this were to happen the P.N. government will be in a fix. The problem is not the workers’ condition it is Gonzi and his cabinet and political party. The earlier they leave the better for Malta
Joseph Cauchi
Jul 12th 2010, 11:21
It would be of the utmost importance that the employees involved realise that it would be very unwise to KILL the goose that lays the golden egg!
Let common sense prevail.
JC.
M Borg
Jul 12th 2010, 16:34
I would hardly call Malta's minimum wage the Golden Egg!(152.29 Eur a 40 hr week or 4.75 an hour).
Imagine trying to raise a family on that. It's more like legalised slavery for people who have no choice.
Even in ancient Rome the slaves had guaranteed food and shelter and a small allowance depending on the standing of the slave. Plus ca change...
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Jul 12th 2010, 10:30
Decizjonijiet iebsa ghall-haddiema. Qrajt x'imkien li l-bdil suggerit mill-kumpanija jwassal ghal tnaqqis fil-qliegh fis-sena ghal kull impjegat ta' fuq Euro 1,000
Maria D.Sacco
Jul 12th 2010, 11:05
Qrajt x'imkien ukoll li l-alternattiva hi li l-haddiema jispiccaw bla xoghol, ergo l-introjtu taghhom jigi zero euros