GWU General Secretary Tony Zarb said today that workers at ST Microelectronics would only be losing €250 over two years as a result of the new austerity measures introduced by the company, rather than the €2,000 a year as had been originally proposed.

He said the reduction had come about thanks to intensive efforts by the General Workers' Union.

Speaking during an extraordinary general conference of the union's Metal and Construction Section, he said that through the agreement, the 1,500 jobs at ST had been saved, together with the jobs of other workers who worked for sub-contractors.

Mr Zarb noted that in the past days, a number of ST Microelectronics employees became new union members.

In his speech, Mr Zarb said the GWU was proud to boast that its principles were not for sale. Methods changes over the years, he said but the union’s principles did not.

Mr Zarb paid tribute to Sammy Meilaq, who has retired from president of the section and described him as a special friend.