Trade unions take tentative step towards unity

If unity between trade unions is ever to become a reality, they first have to “dispose of their baggage and prejudices” and “look to the future rather than the past”, according to industrial relations expert Edward Zammit.

It was still too early, he said, to form a Trades Union Council but the affiliation of all three Maltese confederations in a European body on Thursday was “a positive step in that direction”.

He explained that, before the recent developments, he thought this unity would never happen without a change in the present generation of union leaders.

However, they were now showing goodwill and a number of meetings were held, “registering progress”.

Prof. Zammit, who has been chosen as the mediator to bring about rapprochement between the three major union blocs, the General Workers’ Union, the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions and Forum, was addressing a seminar on unity among trade unions.

At the event, the three leaders agreed this was the way forward and expressed optimism that it would become a reality.

GWU general secretary Tony Zarb and Forum president John Bencini expressed their satisfaction that the latter organisation has been accepted as an affiliate of the European Trade Union Confederation on Thursday.

This development was only possible after the CMTU withdrew its objection to the affiliation, which had been based on a desire to improve its relations with the GWU before opening the doors to another confederation as an ETUC affiliate.

CMTU president William Portelli did not refer to his confederation’s change of heart but insisted that it was at the forefront in promoting trade union unity. It had proposed, about six weeks ago, a plan of action for this to happen and for the introduction of “ethical trade unionism”.

Prof. Zammit said a code of ethics for trade unions and their leaders was imperative for better cooperation between them. Another important ingredient was communication, both formal and informal.

“Unions need statesmen-like leaders,” he said, adding that the constant bickering among unions was not a good example for upcoming generations.

Mr Zarb spoke about the importance of unions seeking common ground and how they could speak with one voice on issues on which there was no divergence. As examples, he mentioned health and safety at the workplace, threats against workers who plan to join a union and precarious jobs.

The GWU wanted to establish a good working relationship with the CMTU, as it had done with Forum. There had always been competition between trade unions. However, real trouble erupted in 2004, when they had tried to reach a tri-partite social pact. At the time, it was the GWU which had opposed the proposed plan.

Following that, attempts were made to establish a Trades Union Council but these ended in failure. There was also a spat between the Malta Union of Teachers and the CMTU, of which it formed part, leading it to pull out of the confederation. It now forms part of Forum.

Historically, politics has driven a wedge between unions, with the GWU having strong links with the Labour Party in the past and Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin, the other of the big two unions, perceived as being more sympathetic to the Nationalist Party, although it has regularly denied this.