The unions which are together battling the new utility tariffs yesterday met to discuss the formation of a Maltese version of a Trades Union Council, agreeing to set up a working group on common issues of importance.

The proposed name of this group of unions is Għaqda Unions Maltin (association of Maltese unions) but this was not discussed in detail yesterday.

Addressing participating unions, 11 out of Malta's 31, the president of the Malta Unions of Teachers, John Bencini said there should be some form of unity between unions. He underlined the importance of forming a structure or forum through which trade unions could enhance cooperation. The TUC idea was first floated by the MUT in November, a few days after all trade unions united to oppose the proposed water and electricity tariffs. But it was immediately given the cold shoulder by the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and the Confederation of Maltese Trade Unions, which argued there were more pressing issues to deal with.

As a result, a meeting originally set for December 5 was held yesterday and in the meantime the TUC idea was toned down by its own proposers - the unions instead discussed how they could work better together.

Mr Bencini said his union had realised, after proposing the idea, that Malta was not prepared to have one organisation representing all trade unions.

The MUT, he explained, wants to take forward the process of one day creating a TUC, a process that had started years ago when European TUC general secretary John Monks visited Malta. Back then, the unions had committed themselves to the idea, he said.

He spoke of the importance of unions lobbying MPs, as other TUCs do across Europe.

Mr Bencini also mentioned drawing up a code of ethics for trade unions in order to avoid conflicts between them.

Despite the attendance of only a third of trade unions, Mr Bencini described the meeting as a success. He stressed that the door was still wide open for all the other unions to attend.

The participating unions agreed to meet on a monthly basis.