Government's hostility will not stop GWU - Tony Zarb
The government was discriminating against the General Workers' Union and being hostile towards the union but nothing will stop it from continuing its fight for the benefit of workers, GWU general secretary Tony Zarb said yesterday.
Closing the union's biennial general conference during which delegates voted on seven motions which, according to Mr Zarb give the union its roadmap for the next two years, Mr Zarb said the government had appointed the UHM's Gejtu Vella director of the Consumer's Authority and Gejtu Tanti on the board of the ETC, but there were no such appointments for GWU officials.
Moreover, workers received telephone calls from ministries warning them not to join the GWU.
GWU EU project proposals were also encountering problems with some not being approved by certain ministries.
Mr Zarb said that in the 68 years of the GWU's existence, Nationalist governments had always discriminated against the union and the union would never forget statements that, for example, its headquarters should be changed into a block of flats. It would also not forget the financial slap in the face it was given when cargo handling was robbed of its role.
But hostility will not stop the union "the GWU is here and here it will stay," he said to applause.
Mr Zarb said that the GWU had grown by 4,000 new members in the past two years. Its new members include the employees of Palumbo shipyard. He warned Palumbo that the union would taken legal action if the management continued to refuse to grant it sole recognition for workers.
The GWU, he said, would also not stop its fight for members of disciplinary forces to join a union and for the Forum to join the MCESD.
The union would also continue with its campaign on the heartless and insensitive way the government was showing towards difficulties being faced by the people.
The ETC was itself discriminating by employing people in dangerous work.
Care workers and security guards employed by private companies who won government tenders were badly paid and there were workers on minimum wage, who had to pay their employer €20 back every month.
There were also workers in homes for the elderly who worked 60 to 80 hours a week at a flatrate of €3.50.
In the hospitality industry there were people, including foreigners, who were paid just €3.30 an hour.
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John Scerri
Oct 6th 2011, 06:47
The GWU must remember that although it's members are a mix of workers who have different political ideas , it joined the MLP and ignored it's members who did not favour their union as being associated with a political party.
The GWU did this knowing that the Govt at that time was the Employer (which happened to be the MLP ) .
The GWU could not honestly and properly fight for the rights of it's members who were employed by that Government (which happened to be the MLP)
Putting it simple the GWU has a huge stain depicting past episodes of favouring the employer (which happened to be the MLP) other than its own members who paid their monthly contribution.
All this happened in recent years until the GWU realised that what was written on paper need to be withdrawn in order for the GWU to be more credible.
Unfortunately there is a saying 'Once bitten twice shy'
It is a pity that this union has two weights and two measures with regard to protecting workers rights and this is dependent on whether PN or MLP are in power at a certain time.
Apart from this the GWU publishes a daily newspaper 'L-Orizzont' which could easily be renamed 'VOICE OF MLP' or in maltese 'Lehen Tal- Labour' This newspaper states it is independent !!
A trade union which represents workers from every sector and every political creed must be impartial in everything it does and publishes.
Only in this way may it be considered as being LOYAL to it's members.
Mr joseph saliba
Oct 5th 2011, 19:10
Will the GWU's hostility stop the Government?
joe xerri
Oct 5th 2011, 19:01
Who Knows? You should retire first if you want to be appointed. Guess you will be perfect for an appointment within the EU after all the help you gave Malta in it's quest to join the block.
Mr G Mangion
Oct 5th 2011, 18:42
Stop grumling ton ! enough is enough !
We need Credible people for the Job.................
G.Mangion.
Mr Joseph N. Attard
Oct 5th 2011, 18:27
The Union's perceived woes are only self inflicted. During Labour administrations, it keeps its mouth shut, and only bawls when there is a Nationalist Government. What does it expect in return?
Mr joseph saliba
Oct 5th 2011, 18:16
What Job would you assign to Gejtu Mercieca and Tony Zarb? Wait for the PL electoral manifesto/programme.
Mr L Zammit
Oct 5th 2011, 17:51
Did you mean the Casino and Hotel Phoenicia employees?
Giovann Demartino
Oct 5th 2011, 17:47
No one will stop the GWU except a....labour government.
M. Bezzina
Oct 5th 2011, 21:02
I agree with yr comment 100% Giovann because the UHM is doing exactly what you're saying under yr PN gov!!
Mr M Spiteri
Oct 5th 2011, 22:16
By any chance are you or anyone related to you involved in warden services?
A Cuschieri
Oct 5th 2011, 17:37
Only a change in Government will stop the GWU - not for the right reasons though ...
Mr michael catania
Oct 5th 2011, 17:14
Another job for the conservative boys. These two have served their conservative masters well. I did not see them protesting when Gonzi pn awarded themselves 500 Euro a week while the ordinary worker was handed 1.50 (approx) a week .When are the workers going to open their eyes and see who truly defend their working conditions. Remember in unity there is strenght.
Giovann Demartino
Oct 5th 2011, 18:29
Some workers did open their eyes when they were ordered by the regime to declare in writing that they will NOT obey their union's legitimate directives. Remember? After all it was the great dictator who informed dockyard workers that You have to be mad to go out on strike. These same workers had just returned from a 9 month political strike that crippled the yard, If you want more details just let me know.
Carmel Zammit
Oct 5th 2011, 17:12
the government had appointed the UHM's Gejtu Vella director of the Consumer's Authority and Gejtu Tanti on the board of the ETC
Whats wrong with rewarding the guys for their loyalty???