Unions join forces against austerity
Maltese workers have had to endure their fare share of austerity measures in the form of high utility bills, a top union official said today.
GWU general secretary Tony Zarb said the higher utility bills families have been paying for the past few years were akin to the austerity measures blighting European economies.
He was speaking at a half-day seminar this morning organized by the GWU and the two trade union federations CMTU and Forum to mark the European day of action and solidarity.
The seminar itself was historic because it put aside the bad blood that flowed in the past between the CMTU and the other two organizations.
Union leaders augured that the conference should signal the start of more cooperation between trade unions.
Mr Zarb's concern on utility rates was reflected in comments made by CMTU president William Portelli.
"We have to be cautious and responsible in the way energy is managed in this country to make sure it does not end up being a burden on families and SMEs," Mr Portelli said.
Forum president John Bencini said another sign of austerity was the Governments's insistence in the civil service collective agreement not to pay the arrears for 2011 as was customary every time these agreements were signed. He described this as "austerity by stealth".
Union leaders criticized the widespread austerity in Europe, adding the money countries were pouring into their economies were aimed at salvaging German and French banks rather than boosting work opportunities.
Mr Bencini said unions across the EU were up in arms because workers were paying the consequences for their governments's irresponsible actions over the years.
He said the countries that were performing well and creating jobs had educational systems that always topped Europe-wide classifications. "Education is the key and Malta cannot remain with a system that still produces students without basic skills," he warned.
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Giov DeMartino
Nov 15th 2012, 09:04
World News: Violent clashes throughout Europe. Concern as the price of oil on the rises because of ME crisis.
Local news: thousands of employees get a pay rise.........and arriva buses are always late.
Giov DeMartino
Nov 15th 2012, 06:45
I know that repetitions are tedious.......but I have just been watching the world news on RAI and I shall have to repeat it once more: THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE MALTA in all senses. As long as our friends are kept on the opposition benches.
Charles Muscat
Nov 15th 2012, 02:09
Malta better stick to the devil you know then the one you don't.
Giov DeMartino
Nov 15th 2012, 12:25
This proverb does not fit here. The present administration is certainly not a devil, while the other devils is very well known. Unless, at least, you are still under 35.
vincent Lia
Nov 14th 2012, 21:57
Trade union leaders should be ashamed of themselves to talk about austerity in Malta when there are countries with debts they cannot pay, unemployment at 25%+, and have to be given loans by other countries including Malta. These leaders have nothing else to do except yap and collect fees from the workers to keep umpteen union leaders living a life of luxury and pretend to be doing something.
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 14th 2012, 20:08
@ Roderick Micallef
“you will see tens of retail outlets that are either for sale or to let”
Where on earth did you see these outlets for sale or to let? Name the streets and villages/towns please.
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 14th 2012, 20:06
@ Roderick Micallef
"people in politics or in unions are always telling us what they will be doing but never tell us HOW.
That is exactly what "dear leader" joseph muscat is doing, promising everything to everybody without telling how he will be keeping these promises.
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 14th 2012, 19:20
@ CRISTINU V
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Malta is followed by the Netherlands at 90.7% and Austria at 88.44%. The EU average for 2010 was 76.40%.
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 14th 2012, 19:13
@ Cristinu Vella
CRISTINU V - No I do not know how many families go to sleep HUNGRY in Malta. Do you know? If yes please enlighten us.
Eurostat (for the year 2010) places Malta at the head of the table, with 93.01% of graduates managing to find employment within 3 years of their graduation, by far from the 15% you mentioned. You are just BLA BLA BLA CRISTUNU V.
J Martinelli
Nov 14th 2012, 18:52
Pretty soon they'll start complaining that the price of doughnuts is too high!
You buy, you pay, Mr Zarb & Co.
Schembri Ray
Nov 14th 2012, 18:44
Mr Zarb.
Don't do any strikes now, because election is on the edge, and if Muscat is elected bills will go down. Leave action for after the election please; and only if Gonzi is elected.
Julian Borg
Nov 14th 2012, 17:15
The unions use the term austerity in the same way as the MLP uses the term democracy - they use if for convenience ......
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 14th 2012, 16:30
The GWU is up to its usual ploy of industrial unrest in aid of the MLP/LP in the run up to a general election. Intelligent voters realize that in Malta we have been spared the need of drastic austerity measures that are causing violent street protests in Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal thanks to our NP government’s foresight.
Joseph John Camilleri
Nov 14th 2012, 15:43
Mr Zarb you kept so very quiet when Dr Sant increased the utility bills, introduced CET etc. Why now??
C Micallef
Nov 14th 2012, 15:30
Don't worry. With labour utility rates will be going down. Pity that all other taxes will be raised. The more I see people like Tony Zarb the more convinced I get to vote PN...
George Cutajar
Nov 14th 2012, 15:21
History has been made - these unions have used the term 'austerity' for the first time but in actual fact I do not think that they know what it means. Malta has been faring reasonably well under the prevailing circumstances and they should watch the words they use. We are not Cyprus, Spain , Portugal or Italy - that is where the austerity really lies.
Mr Denis Calleja
Nov 14th 2012, 15:04
Well what about the ceiling on the pension for which I am not getting 2/3 what is the Government and Unions doing about it ?
godwin difesa
Nov 14th 2012, 14:21
Mr Bencini where are you living in Malta ?If there is something that this government is preforming in the best way is education.If there are students going out of school without basic skills is because they do not want to learn or some of your members do not do there job well because this government is investing millions every
year or now what ever happens is the govenment fault ?
J Martinelli
Nov 14th 2012, 14:09
Oh darn, what took these Unions so long to introduce the word "austerity"?
Is this to brainwash the electorate in believing that Malta is under some austerity regimen?
Are they against the universally recognised practice that 'user pays'? Do Zarb & Co go to a retail shop, 'purchase' something but pay whatever is convenient for them?
Does Malta have a choice of price when purchasing fuel oil?
Mr G Naudi
Nov 14th 2012, 14:05
Mr. Zarb if you do no have nothing to say stay quiet as quotes like " austerity measures in the form of high utility bills" are an insult to people's intelligence. I prefer my bills to be less then what they are but calling them austerity measures is a joke. Why don't you change the name of GWU to GLPU (General Labour Party Union).
GL Calleja
Nov 14th 2012, 15:17
You can call me Joe, you can call me schmo as long as you call me, right? Where was Tony Zarb and the GWU when they got rid of half the staff at Air Malta? Alpa ( the pilot's Union) was there all the time and they managed to save everybody's job, and I mean EVERYBODY's. Now there is a very dedicated Union. Mr Davies and Mr Farrugia can attest to that.
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 14th 2012, 13:50
"Mr Bencini said unions across the EU were up in arms because workers were paying the consequences for their governments's irresponsible actions over the years"
BUT NOTHING OF THE SAME IS HAPPENING IN MALTA, IF YOU DID NOT NOTICED YET. dear mr. bencini, you should know better, we in Malta we will be experiencing many JOLLY demonstrations of thousands of students after their graduations.
Cristinu Vella
Nov 14th 2012, 14:33
ANGELO V your propoganda towards the p.n have no measure sur Vassallo do you know how many families go to sleep HUNGRY in Malta with all how good we are doing of yours,about the student graduations that you so naive about mayby and mayby 15% will get a JOB ANGELO.
Peter Agius
Nov 14th 2012, 13:32
@Tony Zarb.
Mghadhomx Unions tac-cekciek dawn?????????????
Peter Agius
Nov 14th 2012, 13:30
Kif jitla' il-Labour, il-GWU tobzlilkom fis -sunnara u addio koperazzjoni. Ikun haqqkom la ma titghalmu qatt.
Andrew Vella
Nov 14th 2012, 13:24
Top prize goes to that Bencini guy for mentioning austerity and the civil service agreement in the same sentence. As for the guy next to him, well we're all used to his antics before an election by now aren't we? He really, really needs to learn some new tricks...
Tim Vella
Nov 14th 2012, 13:22
Oh woe...! All concern but alas, no action.
Anthony Paul Naudi
Nov 14th 2012, 13:21
U mhux hekk !!
A.P.Naudi
Franco Farrugia
Nov 14th 2012, 13:15
Maltese workers NOWHERE and NO WAY have experienced austerity measures the likes of their European counterparts! While I understand that there are MANY Maltese citizens seriously hit by the economic crisis, let us all admit that austerity measures in Malta have, so far, been quasi-negligible. Utility and gas tariffs are, however, indeed very high!
paul camilleri
Nov 14th 2012, 13:13
one wonders why the GWU did not complain when Dr Sant increased the utility bill? and why is it they want to complain now. at least we have more than 75% of our population working unlike Greece and Spain!!!! or would they prefer our work force to drop down to those levels so that they can be content and have a cause to complian!!!!
E Gatt
Nov 14th 2012, 13:00
The situation must be so bad that some people cannot afford the electricity to watch news reports of the economic difficulties the rest of the world is facing.
Insular mentality is alive and kicking.
Matthew Montebello
Nov 14th 2012, 12:56
... truly remarkable ... hope it's the first from a series of cooperation and collaboration initiatives ...
C Cassar
Nov 14th 2012, 12:53
How ridiculous. This has nothing to do with Malta and the GWU use any excuse to hurt the employers that pay their members.
j brincat
Nov 14th 2012, 12:52
U ajma mhux fuq ir-rubini qeghdin mixjin!
(jb)
H. Psaila
Nov 14th 2012, 15:58
Daqs kemm sejrin nimxu fuq ir-rubini jekk ALLA HARES QATT jitla Joseph Muscat.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 14th 2012, 16:36
H.Psalia , mela Gonzi se jhalli xi rubini warajh Se jhalli €6,000 miljun DEJN !
Roderick Micallef
Nov 14th 2012, 12:46
"to make sure it does not end up being a burden on families and SMEs". Yeah right, people in politics or in unions are always telling us what they will be doing but never tell us HOW they are going to do it. Take a look around you and you will see tens of retail outlets that are either for sale or to let, who knows maybe it's already too late and the utilities are ALREADY a burden for most of us!
Kirsty Vidal
Nov 14th 2012, 14:50
Very well said but for others we are plain sailing and that we have our economy really well!!!
Please choose the reason of your report below: