GWU General Secretary Tony Zarb complained today that Palumbo Dockyard is refusing to grant the union recognition as representative of the industrial workers, even though 47 or the 50 workers are its members.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, Mr Zarb said that if the dockyard persisted in its attitude, he would reveal the true reason for what is going on.

Mr Zarb said that usually, whenever a trade union sought recognition, an employer asked it to prove its membership, and then granted recognition.

In this case, Palumbo sought verification from the Director of Employment Relations, and even when that verification confirmed what the GWU was saying, recognition was still not granted.

This, Mr Zarb said, was unacceptable. This issue, he said, had been dragging for seven months and unless the dockyard changed its position, he would disclose the true reason for its actions.

He gave no further details.

Mr Zarb said the GWU wanted to be active in the shipyards not only in the workers' interest but also in Palumbo's interest, to help the company, through its contacts, attract work to Malta's shipyards. He insisted that the union wanted to work closely with Palumbo.