Updated: UHM warns Gozo ferry service may be disrupted or stopped during carnival weekend
The Union Haddiema Maghqudin today ordered industrial action by staff and crews at Gozo Channel and warned that the service will be disrupted and possibly stopped.
The action was called as the ferry company geared for one of its busiest weekends - when thousands of Maltese cross to Gozo for the Nadur Carnival.
The dispute stems from disagreement on the financial aspects of a new collective agreement after the old collective agreement expired in 2008.
The union says financial proposals made by the company are unrealistic and do not match productivity and performance.
A spokesman for the union said a whole range of directives have been issued to all categories of workers. The actions come into force on Thursday and will slow the service, since the directives include a 'go slow' for ticketing and other staff.
But the spokesman said the service would be brought to a halt once the ferries run out of water and other essential supplies, and workers refuse to replenish them.
TOURISM ASSOCIATION'S CONCERNS
The Gozo Tourism Association in a statement called on the UHM and Gozo Channel to settle the new collective agreement dispute around the discussion table.
"Without entering into the merits of the dispute, the Gozo Tourism Association, acknowledges the right for an industrial action, however this industrial action is ill-timed, as it risks to literally put in shambles, the busiest weekend of the year, where domestic tourism is concerned," the association said.
"While the industrial action is intended to support workers members of a union, on the other hand, it is jeopardising the jobs of other Gozitan workers, in the tourism industry on Gozo," the GTA said.
"The Gozitan tourism sector looks forward in earnest for the Carnival weekend, as it is a busy period after the long lull of the winter months. Therefore in the circumstances, the Gozo Tourism Association, on behalf of its members, coming from the various tourism segments, calls for common sense to prevail, in order to safe guard the interests of the families depending on income derived through employment with Gozo Channel, as well as other numerous jobs within the Gozitan Tourism Industry."
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121 Comments
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Ms.D. Galea
Feb 16th, 14:19
If the strike goes on as planned, ferry workers will not be very popular with the tourists planning to spend Carnival weekend in Gozo, or the Gozitans whose businesses take a welcome boost at this time of the year.
Carmel Farrugia
Feb 16th, 10:25
It this the time to ask for increases in wages when the conditions of employment of millions of European workers including other Maltese are accepting or having to accept reductions to save their jobs.
frank tropman
Feb 15th, 17:51
Yet again Malta seems hell bent on making itself a laughing stock in fromt of it's EU neighbours. In all other EU countries the Unions have been reduced to mere mouthpieces with no real powers or the ability to call strikes or 'go slow' actions. In the employment contracts there should be a clause that states that such actions that jeapordise the company are not tollerated as is the case in most public and all private companies/organisations. If I endangered the reputation or working practices of my company I am sure I would face disciplinary action asI would be acting against the interests of my employers. As for the timing of this action, well it seems to be most inappropriate if the support of the public is the aim. All the timing of this action will do is antagonise the piublic against the employees and the Union invovled. High impact ... yes, but will the outcome be a desired one... Definitley NO... It is time that the unions stopped acting like spoilt children that have no juice left in their zippy cups and start to realise that getting on the wrong side of the public is not the way to go. Thatcher had the right idea in the UK in the 80's when the miner's union held the country to randsom... She sacked over 100,00 men in the space of a day. With such a high unemployment rate perhaps the employees should think long and hard before agreeing to this course of action and on this particular weekend...
mario micallef
Feb 15th, 11:18
@ Josef Charles Hili
"yes i am clever cause i love to have fun" -Please enlighten us all how you equated your self-asserted intelligence with your liking to have fun in the Nadur carnival context which, people reported last year, displayed the slaughtering of animals just for fun. Aren't you clever now!
Josef Charles Hili
Feb 15th, 12:32
slaughtering in nadur carnival never in the last years took place, and i don't know from which source you got your information. but anyone present can assure you this never happened and also the police on duty can confirm this. being able to have fun is a sign of how clever you are to enjoy life and not just watch, speculate and criticize others.
fabrizio azzopardi
Feb 15th, 11:12
And what about university students!!!???? and all those workers that want to return home after they finish their day!????? are we going to be left in Malta and who is going to pay for these extra expenses!!??? And the stocks that restaurant kitchens prepared for this weekend....to whom are we going to sell!!?? I work in the tourism sector during summer and you know what, its not the foreigners that leave the most money in our pockets its the Maltese people from the main island that spend the most money in Gozo!!! It's such and idiot decision that UHM took, they are just considering the interest of few people and ignoring the rest which in my opinion would not leave the desired results in terms of real money in the hands of the Gozitans.
Michael Grech
Feb 15th, 09:08
I cannot understand the logic of some comments - the strike ought not to take place, because it will affect some service the company provides. If a strike won't affect the/a service a company provides, it is not a strike.
Strangely, I rarely read similar comments when another famous strike that took place in the 70's and 80's is mentioned in the media, one which targetted services provided to the very weakest members of our society. Generally, and maybe rightly, most of those who write about those episodes express sympathy with those strikers and with their union, and highlight the ordeal these doctors went through.
Could this be a case of class prejudice?
monique Bugeja
Feb 15th, 08:24
We paid everything the farmhouse, party tickets, costumes for what now, applied for leave!!!!! and for what now? we can't go to gozo. and like us there are thousandS!
mario micallef
Feb 15th, 07:51
@ Josef Charles Hili
And the 'thousands' you refer to? All those bright intelligent people that are treated like a herd by their politicians simply because they actually behave and think like one? Aren't you a clever one! Don't boast about how 'thousands' who enjoy the Gozitan carnival because you're really calling them idiots.
Josef Charles Hili
Feb 15th, 08:31
if there's anybody calling someone idiot it's you. if thousands love to have fun instead of trying to lecture people on sites well and good. having fun does not mean you are not intelligent. and again if you don't like stay home. and yes i am clever cause i love to have fun.
Mariella Galea
Feb 15th, 07:34
Imnalla ma kienitx il GWU li se taghmel din l-azzjoni, Holl Xaghrek u gib iz-Zejtkieku ehh! Kemm jehel il Partit Laburista!!
Sarah Marmara
Feb 15th, 03:27
So most people are concered about not going to the carnival oh what a shame theres actually a union that stands up and tries to make a difference and this WILL make a difference and everyone is complaining about how they wont to go to the carnival in nadur.
The same people will complain about wages etc. that they recieve. Malta is the way that it is because Maltese people have lost there passion to fight for what's best for the country instead they are worried about what is only best for them only. I think if history took place now!! Malta wouldn't recieve the George Cross!!
Franco Farrugia
Feb 15th, 03:05
Very strange: we are doing everything we can, on our tiny islands, to bring disaccord, disharmony and increase the economic problems that we have. The Union in question shows that it's not interested in the welfare and in the wellbeing of thousands of commuters. What is the message? Stay away from Gozo and that is what people should do: do not go to Gozo under these circumstances. I mean, yuou heard Salvinu Buttigieg telling you that as a Gozitan, he doesn't want you, Maltese, to go. So, just don't go!
John Azzopoardi
Feb 15th, 00:22
It's going to be cold this weekend. Most people will stay inside anyway.
Joseph Grech
Feb 14th, 23:22
kif tridu jimxi l-quddiem dan il-pajjiz??.....MA NAFX jien :)
Janet Bayes
Feb 14th, 22:43
Does this union collect fees from its members? Geez - - who waits patiently for FOUR YEARS to get a settlement/payrise/conditions of work sorted out?
I assume if the workers get some support from the union members and the public there could be a settlement sorted quite soon.
M. Bezzina
Feb 14th, 22:34
taparsi tamel hoss dil union biex kultant turi li tezisti!!!
Joseph Bartolo
Feb 14th, 21:24
What one needs to do if he gets stuck in gozo;is to go and kidnapp the big boss of gozo channel,and use his personal ferry........(he has one on standby for his personal use)
kurt attard
Feb 14th, 21:00
f malta ukoll isir karnival spontanju fuq brazi tradizjonali maltija. dan isir gewa Hal Ghaxaq bejn il hadd u tlieta mis 7.30 il quddiem, fej lispontanjeta ma tonqos u divertiment ghal familja kollha
www.karnivalghaxaq.com
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/401297_374285369252243_100000123506163_1638828_1386620371_n.jpg
naghrawkom
Frank Grech
Feb 14th, 20:52
Can one clarify whether Gozo Channel employees do have a right to strike.
Does article 64 6g of the Employment & Industrial Relations Act Apply together with notice 994 on the governemnt gazzette of 28.10.2011 apply?
If not, for the interest of Gozo it would be the ideal if Dr Austin Gatt to extend these provisions.
Roberta Cachia
Feb 14th, 19:53
This is ridiculous ... the service is already a joke let alone if this really happens ... and it's about time from 2008 to act now !! unbelievable !! Viva l Panic li ha jinqala :)
Salvinu Buttigieg
Feb 14th, 19:33
Good that will stop the Maltese coming over and dirty our cities with their mess, however if they are decent enough to pick up all their rubbish and left over and taken back with them and mess their own place, then i'll pass.or perhaps maybe with the cold spell we are having, we Gozitans might get some peace.
N Formosa
Feb 14th, 20:43
Prosit Salvinu Tirraguna...jiena Ghawdxi nistudja malta u ninzel fil-weekend biex nara l-qraba tieghi. Coe int qed tghidli noqghod malta il-gimgha kollha......Just biex nghidlek prosit tar-ragunament tieghek
Josef Charles Hili
Feb 14th, 20:49
speak for yourself....mr know it all.
Alfred Cassar
Feb 14th, 20:57
Sur Buttigieg, mela int trid il-laham minghajr l-ghadma
Ghax ma tarax il-profitti li taghmlu minn fuq il-Maltin specjalment f'weekend bhal dan li gej! Ahjar tibzghu ghalih it-turist Malti ghax minghajru tmorru l-bahar
Alistair Busuttil
Feb 14th, 21:17
thought you eat from our mess
Carmel Camilleri
Feb 14th, 21:19
SALVINU YOU ARE NOT A GOZITAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Usually your comments are against the Gozitans. Perhaps you are changing your tactics how yuo express your feelings about the Gozitans.
Joseph Bartolo
Feb 14th, 21:26
Ghax ma tirringrazzjax l alla li nigu nqallawkhom lira? Ahjar sqallijja milli hemm npaxxukhom.....prosit x 'ospitalita, meta jkollok bzonn sptar uza tal gzira tieghek
Mr robert micallef
Feb 14th, 22:08
no prob we go to pisa cheaper and nicer and the people make you feel welcome.
Carmel Camilleri
Feb 14th, 22:25
SALVINU YOU ARE NOT A GOZITAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Usually your comments are against the Gozitans. Perhaps you are changing your tactics how you express your feelings about the Gozitans.
JanDDragon Longhurst
Feb 14th, 23:21
Well said my Gozitan friend thats telling them .The dirty messey lot and some of them you forgot to mention are a noisey so and sos.
Juanita Muscat
Feb 14th, 23:41
the island needs us Maltese to generate some euros! (Ps.dont forget you're Maltese too)
G Grech
Feb 15th, 00:36
very arrogantly said. Maltese bring up business at maximum levels when crossing over to Gozo, and so does Gozo Channel. Gozitans should welcome Maltese as best they could, as Maltese do to Gozitans when they cross over to Malta. there's no OUR Gozo and OUR Malta!!! we're ONE nation! It's 2012 for goodness sake!!!
mario micallef
Feb 15th, 07:43
Yeah, that's exactly what I personally will do..stay away from Gozo and get my money's worth in some other place. Yes, Gozo can keep its scamming ways, its parking tickets given specifically to Maltese licence plate numbers, it's overpriced flats/farmhouses and rubbish food. And by the way, why don't all the Gozitans find a job on eco Gozo and stop turning up for work in MAlta at 9AM and leaving at 1500hrs, with the lame excuse of catching the ferry, when in reality they all have their own flats in Malta? It would be a real bonus for the rest of us who work REGULAR HOURS with no PREFERENTIAL treatment!
Ryan Agius
Feb 15th, 07:49
Ghax ma titlobx l Alla jighnek Salv ghax li kieku ma nigux ahna l Maltin inthom ilkhom mejtin bil guh
Ian Mamo
Feb 15th, 07:50
If it weren't for us Maltese coming up to Gozo you'd only end up with sheep and cows on the street.
Mat tajjeb jehel il hazin~!>??!??!
Christian Grech
Feb 15th, 11:27
Maltese are our best tourists u jekk trid lil Ghawdex presepju mur ejx go gzira wahdek.. Ga ghandna hafna zaghzagh jejxu Malta ahjar naraw x namlu forsi nqumu...
C Caruana
Feb 14th, 19:10
Everybody seems to be worried about missing Carnival.
HOW ABOUT WE FORGET ALL ABOUT THAT AND CONSIDER THE STUDENTS / WORKERS WHO WISH TO SPEND THEIR WEEKEND AT HOME IN GOZO?!
Is there no respect reserved for those who travel to Malta and back every day (which people, if I may add, are the ones who keep Gozo Channel running even during weekdays)?!
Let's hope this really is just a warning, and that it won't happen for real.
Mark Micallef
Feb 14th, 18:50
GOOD JOB UHM & GOZO CHANNEL!!! YOUR SERVICE IS ALREADY A JOKE AND YOU WANT TO STRIKE ON THE WEEKEND WHEN PEOPLE ACTUALLY HAVE TO PUT UP WITH YOUR SERVICE AND USE IT!!! HALLUNA BI KWIETNA TAL UHM!!
Janet Bayes
Feb 15th, 08:01
Mark - - you dont have to put up with the service unless you choose to if you are ONLY coming here for the carnival - - - we all have a choice!
Carmel Tabone
Feb 14th, 18:43
Why now, from 2008??????
Lesley Kreupl
Feb 14th, 17:50
If they refuse to work, fire them, there are plenty more where they came from, but fire the bosses first!
CHARLES PISANI
Feb 14th, 17:47
good maybe the maltese remain in malta and create more buisness here.....after all this nadur carnival is a scary one and not a joyfull one.
Josef Charles Hili
Feb 14th, 20:51
seems you never been abroad.
Mr Clayton Mangion
Feb 14th, 17:44
next failure gozo channel ?
Paul Caruana
Feb 14th, 17:42
Looks like we could be in for a long hot summer....
John Zammit
Feb 14th, 17:37
One of the busiest winter periods for the Gozitan Economy and they're going to manage to ruin it!
Sarah Marmara
Feb 15th, 04:34
It's funny how you've jumped ship.
Joey Tribbiani
Feb 14th, 17:35
I am sure a last minute solution will be found by super minister Debono.
J Debono
Feb 14th, 17:23
I knew it!! ...we should have built that bridge...
Louise Vella
Feb 14th, 17:17
Carnival generates some business for Gozo- this is something that they need right now! And Gozo channel please note that a person with a pushchair or a wheelchair coming back from Gozo finds the comodity of a lift on the ship however he/she gets stuck behind cars without being able to get off the ship before the cars start their engines and move! The gap between one car & the other is so samll that barely a person passes. This could easily be solved if the area close to the lift & leading to the front of the ship remains clear...that is until the new terminal will one day be ready and passengers can get out without needing to go near the cars..like the Gozo terminal.
mario micallef
Feb 14th, 17:02
I'm moved to tears! - If there really is a ferry-boat strike, I won't be able to attend that culturally enriching event at Nadur, that makes even retards look like Einstein! :-S
Carmel Camilleri
Feb 14th, 17:38
Wow mario you really impressed me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Josef Charles Hili
Feb 14th, 18:39
who cares what you do. thousands more love it.
M. Attard
Feb 15th, 06:35
LOL. I agree with you mario, but then again, if others like it, let it be. We don't have much entertainment in Malta and Gozo so at least a section is happy with such events.
Mark Frankalanza
Feb 15th, 09:13
hadd ma saqsiek tigi
Mr Alfred Fenech
Feb 14th, 16:53
UHM speaks of Productivity & Performance. How do they describe performance: during the trips going into a room away from the passengers to have an illegal smoke?What about productivity: a dozen persons doing the work of six; a cleaner that is hardly ever available; a group of sailors who can never be seen during a trip?
Kindly explain.
Joseph Sammut
Feb 14th, 18:19
Staff smoking on deck? Allowing passengers to smoke on deck due to lack of supervision? Dirty tables from previous trips? Smelly toilets? Late departures? Occasional filthy floors in cafeteria? Always late opening of passenger gate on arrival at Mgarr? Filthy window panes? Chewing gum to underside of tables?
Andrea Giallombardo
Feb 14th, 16:45
But the spokesman said the service would be brought to a halt once the ferries run out of water and other essential supplies, and workers refuse to replenish them.
^get rid of them..
tyson vella
Feb 14th, 16:42
if the ferry stops, a big congestion of traffic will pile up and alot of panic would lead to angry drivers and passengers, what ever the problem is, its not going to help by striking during carnival weekend.
K Attard
Feb 14th, 16:42
Tajba wkoll din! U x'naghmlu? Nibqghu ghawdex igifiri!?? U HALLUNA!!!
Luke Duncan
Feb 14th, 16:23
Is it possible to sue UHM or Gozo Channel? If yes, Businesses located in Gozo should gather, discuss and do so! Cause this should have been done 4 years ago not now. I think that someone has some personal interests and enough power to accommodate those interests here
Bernard Pollacco
Feb 14th, 16:21
news item on thursday - UHM reach agreement with gozo ferry service - service to resume as normal
Matthew Camilleri
Feb 14th, 16:18
Sfortunatament f'dan il=-pajjiz biex isir xi haga ikun emm bzonn li tigi t-theddida ta strike. Jekk ghandu jsir strike issa hu c-cans, halli tigi affetwata l-ekonomija, ghalxejn taghmel strike fi zmein fejn hadd ma hu ha jhossha, ghax tkun qed taghmel strike bla sens. Il-fatt li ma jkunux jistghu jitilghu jew jinzlu minn gahwdex ha jigbed la-ttenzjoni ta min hemm bzonn
Mr Ernest Vella
Feb 14th, 16:12
Din vendikazzjoni fuq il-poplu Malti u mhux fuq il-Gozo Channel. Il-ftehim missu sar...vera...imma b'din il-mossa ha twegghu lil Ghawdxin li ha jaraw naqra turizmu fi stagun iebes. Istrajkjaw wara imma mhux waqt il-vaganzi tal-Karnival.
Christian Grech
Feb 14th, 16:11
Our island has been dead (no work) from September. We ve been looking forward a lot for carnival and now Uhm comes with this treat. Ghal Issa erfajtua ma ghamiltuix f Jannar??? Ghalfejn andu ibati poplu shih??
Joseph Bartolo
Feb 14th, 16:09
What a nice thing to do!! I would have definitely give them a raise.....I mean, You can always count on them to come to your rescue when in need, such a hard working bunch of people!!! Shame on the UHM!! I hope that the Gozoitans will be affected and loose a lot of money, that's team spirit
W Cassar
Feb 14th, 16:07
The most effective strikes or threats to strike are done at sensitive times. Its normal Union practice!
Pity we can't have a bridge instead of a stupid ferry service!
Lawrence Fenech
Feb 14th, 16:02
UHM l-ewwel saqsu lill-Giovanna jekk tistghawx twaqqfu il-Gozo Channel u bongu.
Jonathan Deeley
Feb 14th, 15:57
The words 'shotgun, shooting, and foot' spring to mind.
John L Galea
Feb 14th, 15:54
Very responsible UHM....good idea to ruin a weekend of good business for the Gozitans and a weekend of fun for all the Maltese and tourists.
Mr Angelo Abela
Feb 14th, 15:49
Why is everyone taking it against the UHM and the workers instead of say, the GOZO CHANNEL? If a collective agreement expired in 2008 its high time that they agreed on a new one. Everyone is assuming that someone from the UHM woke up today and thought it might be fun to ruin the Gozo Carnival. None of those who commented here have any idea how long the union has been in talks with the Gozo Channel regarding this issue.
Has Malta become a country of sheep, agreeing with everything and taking it against those who try and stand for their rights?
Massimo Lubrano
Feb 14th, 17:03
They could have gone on strike in 2009.Or else maybe UHM are aiming for the stars?? Good luck Gozo,may you have plenty of business.
J Zammit
Feb 14th, 17:03
Well Mr. Abela, if talks have been going on since 2008 a couple of days more so that everyone can enjoy Carnival wouldn't hurt now would it?
Carmel Cilia
Feb 14th, 18:25
@J Zammit Strike isir bhala arma biex tbezza lil min ihaddem halli jasal ghal ftehim. Ma ridx nidhol f'dan il-kaz partikolari izda jekk se nispiccaw biex anke id-dritt ta l-istrike inlehhu ghallura veru il-kapitalisti ikunu rebhu il-gwerra. Bil-haqq ara li kienet il-G.W.U hafna bloggers kemm kienu itajru bz--q fil-vojt. Peru jidher li it-tmexxija il-gdida tal U.H.M ghanda ghal qalba aktar il-gid tal haddiem u membri taghha milli il-politika partigjana.
Sarah Marmara
Feb 15th, 03:46
That is exactly right... Maltese people have to just accept life how it is because no one has the courage to do anything because if someone stands up and tries to change things for the better you get these selfish people protesting against it.
Frank Attard
Feb 14th, 15:46
Messrs UHM, ask your members if they are willing to open up for competition if they want better compensation. It's always easy to demand more when you are a monopoly - but is it fair? I have no issues against the efficiency of the ferry service - but I do think that the efficiency of the workforce is not top of the Gozo Channel agenda. By this I do not mean that the employees do not do their work, but the fact that there is over staffing.
UHM have to keep in mind that as long as Gozo Channel (and their employees) enjoy a monopoly, they have an obligation towards the country and it's citizens. I am sure you realize that even on Carnival weekend, thousands of commuters have to travel between the islands, not for leisure, but for work and other commitments such as health-related services.
Stephanie Pisani
Feb 14th, 15:45
Very good idea doing it on Carnival weekend ee proset.
They are not only going to spoil the fun of a lot of people but also us Gozitans that goes to Malta everyday for work have a problem to go back home!!
Rose Zammit
Feb 14th, 15:44
I THINK WHOEVER HAS A RUBBER DINGHY ............. PARK IN CIRKEWWA ......... AND MAKE SOME CASH LOL
Luke Borg
Feb 14th, 15:40
And why does all this loss of business has to happen ? A tunnel between Malta & Gozo will solve everything.
Joseph Sammut
Feb 14th, 16:36
Are you so sure: if this dream tunnel is feasible in the first place, maybe the union would call for industrial action on the employees of the tunnel operatives. Or would such a tunnel be self operating?
mario micallef
Feb 14th, 17:04
Knowing how things are built around here, would you risk driving through it? - Seriously?
Joseph Calleja
Feb 14th, 15:39
That is what Unions do. They have no consideration for the general public and the Gozo Channel Ferry should be looking for other more reliable workers. Unions started out to be a good savior but they have turned into big business and have lost the art of negotiating. They have ruined and destroyed many a business. The leaders have turned Unions into greedy destructive machines. On behalf of the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, Why on earth did they let a collective agreement which expired in 2008 lay dead for four years, and all of a sudden they get the urge to strike now? Union contracts should be signed at the end of the old contract. Why did they wait four years to renew the contract agreement? The blame also goes to the leaders of the Gozo Ferry. Shame on you all. The general public is always placed at the bottom?
Mr Neville A Cassar
Feb 14th, 15:37
UHM.... perfect timing ! Blackmailing the customers who use your employers services..... will surely get you that promotion and collective agreement you are looking for!
Prosit..... New UHM leadership trying to flex their muscles ? Thank the stars you actually have a job.
"The union says financial proposals made by the company are unrealistic and do not match productivity and performance." What productivity? What performance? Is this April 1st ?
Eve Axiaq
Feb 14th, 15:35
X'jonqoshom dawn??? Biex tipparkja karozza fil- vapur trid tmienja minn nies bil- haddiema fuq xulxin li hemm!
silvio loporto
Feb 14th, 15:32
Nothing to worry about,as long as it is the U.H.M that is doing the threathining.
This union will never bite the hand that feeds it.
Ask Gejtu .
John Attard
Feb 14th, 15:31
Workers collective agreements are to be taken seriously. However this is a managment issue. Managments across the Board should pull up their socks. Unions should not be taken for a ride! industrial action is the only way they can solve issues. So be it...i would have fffffffffff so many previous carnivals too!
mela ic-Chairman irrezenja.....mhux ahjar jirrezenja L Borgd u l-Managment jew!
joe muscat
Feb 14th, 15:24
Honestament lanqas tghaddili min mohhi li UHM se taghmel strike f`daw iz-zmenijiet , din il-union dejjem imxiet id f-id mal gvern , imma jekk hemm bzonn u jekk ghandha il-kuragg IVA ghal interessi tal-haddiema aghmel strike , imma nixtieq nimmagina ukoll li kieku il- GWU kienet involuta , mur ara kemm kummenti...nhalli ghalikhom l-immaginazzjoni
Nathalie Frendo
Feb 14th, 15:21
Instead of thanking the stars above that there will be some movement in Gozo due to carnival the unions are doing their best to stop the little business that was going to take place What a way to help workers. In times when one has to hope for the next pay cheque to come how can unions expect increments? What held good in past years does not hold good today when times are better then we will all get the well-deserved increments. But for now earn what you can and be grateful.
Matthew Agius
Feb 14th, 15:20
loads of Maltese young people paid deposits on property, event tickets and other services in Gozo already... if this had to happen who will pay the money back? be reasonable!!! restaurants, bars, clubs, property rent.. this will leave an impact on Gozo's economy. proset
Peter Shaw
Feb 14th, 15:20
Il Karnival matul is sena kollha jsir mhux 3 ijiem fi Frar biss
mario micallef
Feb 14th, 17:10
Ghandek ragun siehbi! Kull ma rridu naghmlu nharsu lejn dak li qed jigri fil-parlament u mmutu bid-dahk!
joe vella
Feb 14th, 15:19
this is similar to the franco debono event
first there were years and years of procrastination and now we will see attitude,
now the union has grabbed the bull by the horns to force home the issue and what better time for a union to hit out than prime time?
now this presents chris said and giovanna with an opportunity to scramble mediation between GCCL and UHM and get something worked out before the weekend
it is a win win situation for them that could net in some valuable votes!!
Mark Frankalanza
Feb 14th, 15:14
ija "go slow"... u min hu il HERO minn tal UHM li se jzomm dawk in nies kollha? Mintkomx taraw li hekk in nies se jbatu jekk ma jintlahaqx ftehim? DEJJAQTUNA
antoine borg
Feb 14th, 15:14
taf il uhm kemm turisti jzuru l gzira t'ghawdex ghal karnival? prosit!!! strajk meta dawn ikunu qed jergghu lura malta biex jaqbdu t titjiriet lura lejn pajjizhom!!!!!! ahna qedin seww!! reklam bhal dan mhux ta min jitilfu, mhux hekk sur uhm!!!
R Axisa
Feb 14th, 15:13
Il-veru kas li tara t-tibna f'ghajn haddiehor u ma tarax it-travu f'ghajnek! Il-UHM tghidx kemm tikkritika l-GWU meta taghmel xi strike ghax ibaghtu terzi persuni .... u din se taghmel l-istess!
J Busuttil
Feb 14th, 15:08
Is this the UHM new spirit under new leaders. Bdejtu tajjeb.
anastasia micallef
Feb 14th, 15:05
Are these people for real? Gozo representatives are always lamenting the fact that their tourism is seasonal and now when they have some serious business going on they choose to stage such a strike!!! what about all of us that have paid for our accomadation months in advance. I guess we will not be refunded if we do not somehow manage to get to gozo. For me it would be the last time I ever attempt to go to the carnival celebration. I understand the workers needing a review of their conditions, but will this not be detrimental to the company in the long term?
Alfred Grech
Feb 14th, 14:55
Messrs UHM, I sympathize with your members if they need more money or benefits but I find your threat highly irrational and irresponsible. You could have chosen another date to stage a strike but this will hurt Gozo's economy in a big way.
Don't expect to get the support and respect of the public by staging a destructive strike.
R ferriggi
Feb 14th, 14:52
THATS THE WAY TO DO IT.
WHEN THE COUNTRY IS IN SOME UNCERTAIN TIMES,,,, STICK THE KNIFE IN.
PROSET UNIONS ( ALL OF THEM.....) .
THIS IS THE WAY HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE WORKERS ( AND DONT GIVE A TOSS ABOUT THE COUNTRY.
VERY VERY ADMIREABLE.
laurent caruana
Feb 14th, 15:07
Gozo's economy will be at a standstill do you think even that is ADMIREABLE?
Chris Busuttil
Feb 14th, 16:30
Get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I BC
Feb 14th, 16:37
There's nothing "ADMIREABLE" (It's spelt admirable by the way) about Nadur Carnival being ruined for thousands of Maltese and tourists.
Roger Camilleri
Feb 14th, 18:24
nies i think Mr. Friggieri was being sarcastic!!
laurent caruana
Feb 14th, 14:51
Ghawdex ha jitlef business fuq l-agir tal-UHM.....go ahead heroes
mario micallef
Feb 14th, 17:08
Ghawdex xebghet tisraq lill-Maltin hajjin...ma nahsibx li strike ser jaghmel daqshekk differenza ghax min ingidem u ghandu rasu f'ghonqu, mhux ser ikun mignun bizzejjed imur Ghawdex, meta jista jonfoq l-istess flus u jsiefer.
Carmel Camilleri
Feb 14th, 18:43
@ mario micallef
Int donnok ghandek ftit ghalina mario. Mela ghaliex hemm ftit Maltin jisirqu lit-turisti ifisser li il-Maltin kollha hallelin ?
Jekk Ghawdex ser ikun hemm inqas xoghol mhux kullhad ser ibghati inkluz inti billi ikollok thallas iktar taxxi ghal dawk in-nies li huma bla xoghol?
Jekk bl-istess flus issiefer mhux iktar qieghed tohrog flus barra minn pajjizek igiefieri mill-gzejjer Maltin (Malta u Ghawdex) u fi zmien ta ricessjoni ma tantx hu ghaqli li Malta titlef il-flus ghaliex wara kollox jizdied iktar id-dejn li hawn f'pajjizna. Il-gzejjer Maltin huma zghar wisq biex joqoghdu jehdew bejnithom b'mentalita parrokjalista bhal tieghek. Il-poplu tal-gzejjer Maltin ghandhom jahdmu id f'id fiz-zmenijiet difficli bhal dawn u jekk ingdimt minn xi Ghawdxin messek irrapurtajthom u mhux jehlu hafna Ghawdxin li jaghmlu xogholom bl-onesta.
Warren Saliba
Feb 14th, 14:51
Although such service can be disrupted, this should be considered to be an essential service for Maltese and Gozitans, therefore the Industrial Realtions Tribunal should not allow this service to stop completely as per the Constitution.
Carmel Farrugia
Feb 14th, 14:48
The UHM must be joking. When most governments aournd Europe are cutting jobs and wages the UHM is asking for increases. They must be living on another planet.
pat muscat
Feb 14th, 14:48
What about the Gozitans and the youths who will be travelling to Gozo for Carnival? UHM give us a break!
F Galea
Feb 14th, 14:47
Meta ha jitghallmu ma jilghabux aktar b'hajjitna dawn in-nies?
Joseph Grima
Feb 14th, 14:45
u x'jaghmlu l-haddiema Ghawdxin li jridu jmorru lura lejn darhom?
Guido Farrugia
Feb 14th, 14:33
Holl xaghrek u gib iz-zejt if it was the GWU.
Mr CHARLES TANTI
Feb 14th, 14:59
Naqbel mieghek Guido mija fil mija
Kevin Marks
Feb 14th, 14:31
Mhux Hekk Hux peress li x xoghol qieghed tajjeb hafna Ghawdex...duru ma mejda UHM u halluna nghixu...ara li kienet il GWU he kemm hawn kukkudrilli bhalissa
Ms.D. Galea
Feb 14th, 14:25
Cant the UHM wait until after Carnival to take industrical action?
Why spoil people's fun and a business opportunity for Gozitans?
Joseph Grima
Feb 14th, 15:15
I hope there will be no industrial action as Gozitan workers crossing to Malta and back do it everyday not only on Carnival!!
Joseph Calleja
Feb 14th, 15:18
The whole concept of a UNION is " HIT THE BUSINESS WHERE IT HURTS THE MOST." The whole idea is to spoil people's fun and also to stop the everyday operations.
john sammut
Feb 14th, 14:24
issa tirranga kollox l-onerevoli giovanna
Godwin Spiteri
Feb 15th, 08:11
Who wants to make a bet, that by next thursday or friday this threat of a strike by UHM will be gone. They are very faithful to their master to go ahead with such a thing, as to strike at that particular time would anger their BIG Brother in Parliament.
Fabien Calleja
Feb 14th, 14:18
Bis serjeta jew?