Bankers will tomorrow be called to vote on a motion of confidence in their union’s president and another calling for the dismissal of two former officials.

But the vote, which is being boycotted by some members, has been overshadowed by the former officials’ moves to set up a new union.

Mark Muscat, who was MUBE’s representative at HSBC, yesterday said preparations to set up a new union for bank employees were well advanced.

“Over the next two weeks we should be in a position to announce the new formation,” he said.

The dispute within the MUBE concerns a long-running feud between Mr Muscat, another former official, Claude Cremona Gabriele, and the incumbent president William Portelli.

Mr Muscat and Mr Cremona Gabriele were expelled from the union by the central committee last year but Mr Portelli sought support for the move through a special vote to be held tomorrow.

The vote during an extraordinary general meeting was made possible after the courts lifted an injunction requested by Mr Muscat last December.

However, in line with the court’s judgment, union members will be asked to cast two separate votes: one to signal confidence in Mr Portelli and another to support the central committee’s decision to dismiss the former officials.

Prior to the court case, members were going to be asked to vote on one motion that incorporated the vote of confidence and the dismissal.

Mr Muscat yesterday said he ditched plans to pursue further court action after members convinced him of the need to create a new union.

“Many bank employees approached me calling for a new organisation since they felt the MUBE was not being effective enough in its work,” Mr Muscat said.

The creation of another union for bank employees will come as a second blow for the MUBE in as many years after it lost recognition at Bank of Valletta to the General Workers’ Union.

kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com