A national survey of trade union membership, believed to be the first of its kind, has produced some interesting nuggets of information. The first is that, according to reports of the survey results, only a third of Maltese workers are unionised. Another is that, contrary to the general perception, workers in education and health sectors are more likely to join a trade union than unskilled workers.

The survey comes at a relatively peaceful time in trade unionism, a far cry from past times, especially when the dockyard was a hotbed of industrial unrest in tug-of-war battles between the employees’ union and the Nationalist administration of the time. But the dockyard is no longer government-owned and what remains in private hands is just a fraction of the kind of labour force it had in its heyday.

The closure of Malta Drydocks meant the loss of a substantial power base for the General Workers’ Union. Considering how most people look at some of the trade unions, particularly at the largest two – the GWU and the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin – it is surprising that only 21 per cent of respondents said that unions show political partisanship.

This does not conform to the general view, which would place the percentage at a much higher level. This is not to say that the survey is incorrect.

The GWU is still regarded as a pawn in the Labour Party’s hands. There have been times when the UĦM too may have been regarded as being too close to Nationalist administrations. These are, no doubt, among the number of reasons why only a third of Maltese workers are unionised.

There are workplaces where, whether they like it or not, workers find they have no alternative other to join the trade union to which the workers happen to belong because not doing so would place them in a disadvantageous position. This is not to mention cases where employers look down upon workers who dare join a trade union. There have been instances where the politicisation of a trade union at workplaces led the workforce to set up their own house union.

One other interesting bit of information resulting from the survey is that workers in the youngest age category, 15–24, are the least likely to join a trade union. The new general secretary of the GWU, Josef Bugeja, said in reaction to this that the findings did not spell the end of trade unions. He sort of inverted the problem, preferring to look at the opportunities this offered to trade unions.

He was reported saying: “What we are seeing here is a series of opportunities to attract more people and diversify our operations.” It will be interesting to see how the union plans to do this.

But there must surely be good and valid reasons why the younger generation may be put off by the trade unions. Again, is it because they are seen as politically partisan or because they do not deliver?

The second reason does not seem to be the case because 60 per cent of union members are generally satisfied with the work done by the trade unions. This is a high satisfaction rate.

It is quite understandable to find more women inclined to join trade unions. The reason – that they feel susceptible to discrimination – can well be backed up by women who have been sidelined or passed over in promotions just because of their gender.

Clearly, however, the key survey results indicate that trade unions have to face up to the new, stiffer challenges today.