A divided trade union sector

The Malta Independent online
31 March 2010

Sixteen months ago, in what was described as a historic occasion, 20 unions gathered forces and marched in Valletta against the water and electricity rates.

A month ago, the number of unions which organised a similar protest march in Valletta had dropped by half.

In between, the relationship between the different unions had gone sour.

Soon after that November 2008 meeting, an attempt by the Malta Union of Teachers to set up a trades union council was stillborn, and the resulting spat between the teachers union and the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions ended with the MUT leaving the CMTU and teaming up with another confederation called Forum.

From a situation in which the unions had one common front against the government’s measures, we have now a situation that sees a great division between the two different factions of the trade union sector.

On the one hand, we have the General Workers Union leading a pack of unions including the MUT and the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, taking to the streets in an attempt to force the government into withdrawing the new energy rates. The GWU’s militant style has been known throughout its history, whereas the MUT and MUMN seem to have been drawn into the political issue thinking that the government could have collapsed.

On the other hand, we have the Confederation of Trade Unions, which includes the second largest union in Malta, the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, which wants to find solutions around the table and believes that the best way forward is through negotiation.

This division was apparent in the way five major unions replied to questions sent by The Malta Independent on Sunday last weekend. The friction that exists between the two sections was apparent in how they commented on each other while at the same time trying to gain brownie points by mentioning their list of achievements, something which the newspaper did not ask for but duly reported.

As expected, the employers, for their part, have taken the side of the unions who want to negotiate, rather than arm-twist the government through public protests. Industrial stability and peace are important factors in any country’s economy. Protests and strikes could only scare investors away.

And this is why the employers want unions to be part of the solutions, and not simply point out the problems, as suggested by Malta Employers’ Association director general Joe Farrugia. Unions must understand the economic scenario much better before making demands. Expecting miracles from employers could lead to catastrophic situations, with more jobs lost rather than created.

And he is right. No amount of protesting and marching in the streets will improve the economy. No amount of placards and insults will change what is taking place. And no amount of name-calling will bring the price of oil down.

The solutions need to be found on the negotiating table. It is through discussion that compromises can be found. Unions who call for meetings and then say they will not be taking part – as the GWU did last January – are only adding fuel to the fire without contributing towards finding the best way out.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=103903