[attach id=282621 size="medium"]GWU general secretary Tony Zarb. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi[/attach]
The General Workers’ Union wants more proof that the Nationalist Party, “which attacked it throughout the 25 years in spent in government”, was serious about wanting to work with it.
“Whenever there was a PN Government, the GWU was under attack… It’s positive to hear today that the party wants to work with us… But I want to see more proof that they are serious,” union general secretary Tony Zarb said.
He was referring to the comments of PN leader Simon Busuttil who earlier in the evening said his party was open to working with the union.
The occasion was the GWU national congress. Mr Zarb has submitted his nomination to be re-elected in his post for the next two years.
The term of general secretary is of four years but Mr Zarb turns 62 in two years’ time when he will have to step down in line with the union’s statute. His post, in which he runs uncontested, is expected to be confirmed today when the congress comes to an end.
Mr Zarb yesterday repeated his claim that the PN was trying to convince workers to stay away from the union, although this has been repeatedly denied by Dr Busuttil.
A few weeks ago Mr Zarb announced that he would elaborate on this issue during the congress.
Yesterday, he backed up this argument with two vague examples: a meeting with an Arriva worker and a discussion “in a bar during a feast”. He did not elaborate but said that those who were aware “would understand”.
Unions were most effective when they operated autonomously, without political ties,and in the interest of workers
In anticipation of this verbal assault on the PN, Dr Busuttil had started his speech with the words: “The Prime Minister just told me not to leave if I don’t get applause.” As the audience clapped he added: “This is a good start”.
As he addressed the subject of the GWU’s relationship with the PN, Dr Busuttil said that, in the past, the two parties did not always see eye to eye.
However, this should not stop them from respecting one another’s role and working together on common issues such as workers’ interests.
He said he believed unions were most effective when they operated autonomously, without political ties, and in the interest of workers.
He said he understood the background of the GWU but the union should not let this distract it.
Dr Busuttil said the Opposition would insist that the country should continue to be built on employment and the creation of employment.
The Government had not yet drawn up a plan on the generation of jobs and the Opposition expected concrete measures in the upcoming Budget.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat followed him to the podium – to a roar of applause.
He assured Dr Busuttil that the Budget would include several measures to address deficiencies even though “we will not promise magic formulas”.
These measures would address the guarantee of employment for young people and encourage women into the labour market.
The crucial point, he said, was the generation of wealth and jobs. The Government had to ensure that workers had more money in their pockets. The Government would help by reducing prices it had control over – which was why utility bills would be reduced in March.
Dr Muscat said his dream was to see more dialogue between unions and the setting up of a Trade Unions’ Council.
He condemned precarious work and said that some cases would no longer be tolerated.
He mentioned a case, recently brought to his attention, of WasteServ employees with different working conditions to their colleagues because their skin was a different colour.