The Confederation of Malta Trade Unions has expressed its disappointment that its offer of an olive branch and future co-operation was not accepted by the General Workers Union.

In a statement this evening, the CMTU said it trusted that it was in everybody's interest that trade union ethics were maintained, in particular the commitment of not publicly attacking other trade union leaders.

"CMTU must, however, clearly and unequivocally state that before there is such a commitment, and a state of good relations between GWU and CMTU, it will oppose any new entries into both the MCESD and the ETUC.

"This was confirmed during the ETUC meeting when the CMTU made it clear that, at this stage, it was not in favour of any inclusion unless a harmonious trade union environment was guaranteed."

The CMTU said that if there was agreement in principle to the commitments presented by the confederation, this would be a giant step forward towards improving and strengthening bilateral relations with the intention of extending the same spirit of collaboration right across the trade union movement in Malta.

The GWU said this morning that it welcomed comments that William Portelli, CMTU President, that the CMTU was not opposing Forum from joining either the MCESD or the ETUC.

One of the GWU’s three proposals for the initiation of serious discussions to improve relations between the trade unions, calls on the CMTU to accept that Forum as a member of both MCESD and ETUC.

"Therefore the GWU now expects Mr Portelli to declare in the forthcoming ETUC Executive Committee meeting scheduled for the 28 April not to oppose Forum from joining ETUC and that it will stop insisting for a ballot regarding the issue," the GWU said.

"The GWU sees this as a great opportunity for Mr. Portelli to stand by his own words as actions speak louder than words."

The GWU denied that it rejected the CMTU memorandum of understanding. "To the contrary, the GWU maintains that all unions, CMTU included, should be free to present their own proposals without any preconditions in the event of discussions that may be initiated," the union said.

FORUM REACTION

In a statement issued later today, the Forum called for a meeting between the GWU, the CMTU and the Forum, led by a chairman who would be agreed between the three organisations. The aim of the meeting should be to stop confrontation between unions once and for all.

It also called on the CMTU to clearly declare it would not continue to resist Forum's membership in the ETUC and withdraw the roll-call it called on April 28. The Forum also called on the CMTU to do its utmost to ensure Forum became a member of the MCESD.