A memo of understanding aimed to strengthen cooperation between trade unions has been proposed by the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions.

Launching the memo this morning, CMTU president William Portelli hoped that it would be signed by the General Workers’ Union, as the other Maltese representatives on the European Trade Union Council.

The ETUC has called on the CMTU and the GWU to see what they can do to strengthen cooperation.

The CMTU’s document is calling for a plan of action, which as a point of departure lays down a number of rules to strengthen trade unionism ethics.

These include that trade unions would refrain from attacking officials of other trade unions in the media and other public events and that unions work for a better understanding with a view of adopting common positions on matters of common interest to workers.

Asked why the Forum was not being included, Mr Portelli said the CMTU wanted to start with the other representative on the ETUC. It was then willing to roll it up to other organisations and confederation, such as the Forum.

Asked if this could be defined as a step towards the creation of a Trade Union Council, Mr Portelli said that would be another phase. The agreement, he said, was the first step towards more cooperation between trade unions and eventually unity.

What the CMTU is after is for more respect between trade unions which, at the end of day had the same aim - to protect and safeguard workers’ interest.