Trade unions - the way forward

The Malta Independent online
28 March 2010
by Stephen Calleja

While the workforce continues to increase – there are some 144,000 gainfully occupied people – the number of members of trade unions continues to decline. At the last count, in June 2009, 83,433 people belonged to a trade union – with a number of them being paid-up members of more than one union. In June of 2007, the number was 88,017, which went down to 84,172 in June 2008. Stephen Calleja asked the six major unions in the country to analyse the trade union situation and what they see as the way forward. The Malta Medical Association, through president Martin Balzan, the Malta Union of Teachers, through president John Bencini, the Malta Union of Bank Employees, through president William Portelli, the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, through secretary-general Gejtu Vella and the General Workers Union, through secretary-general Tony Zarb, answered the questions; the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses did not respond





1. The number of union members is on the decline. To what do you attribute this phenomenon?



MAM – This is not the case with MAM, where membership has been steady at around 690 members – about double the number MAM had in 2000.



MUT –The decline in trade union membership in European countries may be largely attributed to the increasing complexity of labour market forces.

Trade unions must keep themselves abreast of developments, adopt a more proactive stand and offer a wider range of services to members, both at the collective and individual level.

Locally, trade union membership is still strong and this is due to the good service provided to members and the trust which these in turn have in their respective unions. In fact, one has to be cautious with generic statements about union membership. A closer look at particular sectors might provide interesting findings. Take the education sector for instance – trade union membership has increased steadily over the last few years.



MUBE – I always said that trade unionism in Malta needs a new face and the decline in membership proves it. Shameful scenes such as those of 28 February and 1 March (during the energy protest march organised by the GWU and Forum) do not help and several unions have to change their mentality. What I can say is that the CMTU and the UHM are trying to change the ‘old face’ profile of trade unionism to a more trendy, vibrant and ‘businesslike’ profile that suits today’s needs and business exigencies. However, this must be smartly negotiated and implemented so as to ensure that effective social dialogue and compromise win, meaning that all stakeholders’ would benefit.



UHM – Trade unions in Malta are no different from other trade unions in Europe. They are facing the same challenges. Trade union membership is on the decline in many European countries.

However in Malta we still have high union density. As Malta is small, workers enjoy personal contacts with all union officials and this has helped to maintain a relatively high level of effective communication.

Malta has been going through a process of planned and unplanned restructuring, in both the public and private sector, for many years. This is an ongoing exercise, as the workplaces continue to evolve and become more knowledge-based. Shifting from the traditional labour-intensive plants to more value added enterprises has led to a portion of workers refraining from joining a union.



GWU – There are various factors that, to an extent, led to a decline in trade union membership. Today, more workers are working in a highly personalised environment and this situation has left its mark on union membership. It is a reality that the concept of individualism is also affecting the value of solidarity on which trade unions are based. In view of this phenomenon, the GWU has extended its services to this growing category of workers, in particular those who are employed under a definite or indefinite contract of employment.

Another reason for trade union decline is that today many have succeeded in infecting the workers with the plague of egoism, where workers are being encouraged to fend for themselves and ignore trade union solidarity. In this respect, the GWU is working hard to rid the minds of workers from this disease, which undermines the solidarity that is essential for workers.

One also cannot ignore the fact that various companies either closed shop in Malta and relocated, or laid off workers especially in this time of recession. We have also heard of cases in breach of the freedom of association, where workers are employed on condition that they do not join a union.



2. In what way has the role of trade unions changed from 20, 30

years ago?

MAM – The role of trade unions has to change from being militant and bullying to understanding the needs of the employer, being constructive and persuasive to find solutions, which result in higher productivity and better working conditions for employees. The traditional formula, where trade unions always ask that employees work less and get paid more is over. We have to convince our members that higher flexibility and productivity in the long run will result in a better work package.



MUT – Trade unions have assumed a wider sphere of activity. In the European Union, trade unions are not only encouraged – but also expected – to participate in tripartite policy-making structures. The principle of social dialogue is indeed the very heart and soul of EU socio-economic policy. Within this context, trade unions are expected to contribute on a wider dimension as a

matter of right and duty.

Locally, the concept of social dialogue is still in its embryonic phase. Hence the domain of trade unions is still seen largely as representation of members on purely work-related issues. This is diametrically opposed to the European social dialogue model, where trade union involvement in socio-economic policy-making structures is seen as a sine qua non.



MUBE – Long gone is the priority to take a militant approach or to march in protest with ‘name and shame’ agendas with the intention of ‘firing’ up crowds to ‘pump up’ successful militant strike action. Long gone is the idea of a situation where unions are on their own against employer representatives in a cat and mouse game. The crucial change has become even more evident since the recession struck.

Contrary to what some may think, the role of trade unionism has become increasingly important once there are unions that can act as ‘agents of change’ and once there are unions that can understand business as much as they can understand conditions, rights, productivity, sustainability and economic growth.



UHM – Over the past 20 years, the restructuring process has accelerated. This has helped our economy to shift from one built on monopolies and protectionism to one that is liberalised and open. The traditional groupings of workers represented by their union at various places of work have slowly shifted to a one-to-one contract of employment approach.

This process has inadvertently led to the erosion of worker solidarity. Micro and small enterprises employing fewer than 10 workers also flourish in Malta. Unfortunately, for various reasons workers employed in these companies tend not to join a union.

Malta, and subsequently trade unions, have also suffered from the disadvantages of globalisation and the relocation of international enterprise to other countries. Furthermore, the recession took its toll on employment and this is reflected in unions’ membership figures.

This on its own has affected the figures of trade union membership negatively.



GWU – Certainly, the role of trade unions has changed over the years. As a matter of fact, the GWU adjusted its working tools but not its principles. For example, today the GWU considers itself as a ‘union for the family’ rather than ‘for the worker only’. Indeed, over the years we have extended our educational arm and we are also interested in consumer rights.

During the National Congress of October 2009, the GWU launched six proactive policies regarding migrant workers, LGBT workers, equality at the place of work, and data protection.

These indicate the forward-looking approach the union is taking. It is obvious that, as years go by, trade unions need to offer a more personalised, fully confidential, online service to workers. The GWU is well prepared and well equipped to provide such services.



3. Are you finding it more difficult to retain membership?

Please explain.

MAM – Not really; however the younger generation sometimes has unrealistic expectations of getting rich quickly without having to sweat it out. The role of enhancing the level of education and professionalism is sometimes difficult to explain to the up-and-coming generation.



MUT – On the contrary, membership of the MUT has gradually increased over the past few years. There is also mounting interest in our union’s activities and member participation is also very encouraging. More than 90 per cent of all teaching grades are part of this union. This is mainly due to the democratic structure of the union – its president and executive council are elected directly by paid-up members through a postal ballot. The MUT Council is directly representative of its membership and is therefore very responsive to the reality of the workplace.



MUBE – In the current circumstances, retention has become a key factor to membership but I believe that if unions are proactive and focused on what is required by the business and the members’ real needs, retention would become easier and new recruitment is also a great possibility. While turnover in membership is sometimes due to increased flexibility in the labour market, consolidation and communication with members have become increasingly important and play a key role in the membership ‘growth’ of a trade union. It is all about how modern industrial relations are approached.

The role of a trade union official has become more difficult to handle and has changed very much into a more technical one. Knowledge has become most essential to the cause. Knowing how business is changing and how to tackle and adapt to complex situations while smoothly communicating and helping in the implementation of change will make a big difference between retaining and growing.



UHM – Addressing union membership is a challenge that gives unions a new role and a new identity with the same values and principles in a world where work means something different to what it did in the past.

The introduction of new work practices such as tele-working, part-time work and other forms of employment led workers to believe that they did not need a union.

Various standard conditions of work were transposed into our legislation after Malta joined the European Union and conditions of work were therefore improved.

The new phenomenon, with various private firms and government authorities introducing self-employment at all levels, is also affecting union membership negatively.

Self-employment contracts are being given to various categories of workers to bypass the relationship between an employer and an employee. This is eroding the conditions of work that a worker might be entitled to.

Notwithstanding these poor conditions of work, workers served with such contracts still do not join a union.



GWU – The closing down of places of work will always adversely affect trade union membership. Besides, we were faced with a scenario where workers in different sectors of employment were being offered early retirement schemes. However, the hardest task facing trade unions today is the phenomenon where certain employers make it difficult for their employees – to the extent of terrorising them – to join a trade union. Unfortunately, such a shocking situation is on the increase.

This is being done so that employers will be free to offer individual, at times miserable and precarious, conditions and pay, even less than what is provided for by law. The GWU was the first to voice its concern about this phenomenon and will surely be intensifying its efforts in this regard.

Yet, there are employees who will always look for trade union protection. Besides, it is a fact that white-collar employees in the services sectors require different service from their blue-collar counterparts and indeed, the GWU was and is currently working to continue updating its services and presence among employees.



4. Do you think that unions still have an important role to play today?



MAM – Today, policy makers and governments engage in social dialogue. Trade unions must realise they have to communicate the thoughts of their members and, on the other hand, must lead the way when changes are necessary.

For a successful trade union one must have credibility based on a sound knowledge of the issues involved and engage in discussions that lead to improvement in the quality of the service provided, besides the betterment conditions of work. Furthermore, when legislation or administrative changes are implemented, trade unions must use their credibility and be persuasive that what they recommend will result in better decision-making and smoother implementation.

Our new and increasingly important role is in

influencing government policy.



MUT – Unions today, more than ever before, have an extremely important social role. Within the European Union, trade unions are acknowledged as representing workers on a wide array of social and economic issues. Locally, trade unions ought to collaborate more in this respect. There is a lot of potential in synergistic cooperation in areas of common concerns – health and safety issues, family friendly measures, gender issues and so on, which are not being actualised to the full. On the initiative of the MUT, an invitation was sent to all local trade unions to join its efforts and forge some kind of forum where such issues of common concern could be addressed together. This call was embraced by 12 trade unions, which have since then formed the Ghaqda Unions Maltin. Together we look forward to greater cooperation and concerted efforts between unions for the benefit of the workers we represent.



MUBE – Trade unions can only play a very important role today by being dynamic and proactive. In fact, the recent recession demanded open, honest and effective dialogue, which in actual fact required good and mature levels of understanding from all social partners. Unions can do a lot of effective work by acting as ‘agents of change’ when dealing with their own members, and this is sometimes very much underestimated not only in Malta but also internationally.

Obviously, being responsible and accountable on how unions communicate realistically what is required to support a business while maintaining decent conditions for their members is the crux of the matter, especially during the economic recession that Malta and the rest of the world is going through. As an example, one has to look also at how the latest pre-budget consultation process was conducted which enabled unions, along with all stakeholders, to realistically evaluate the present economic situation and what the trends are. Establishing understanding with the aim of reaching consensus with the unions positively taking centre stage is an ideal way forward. It is a question of leadership and how policy is applied.



UHM – Like many other organisations and associations, trade unions have many valid ideas, very attractive objectives and coherent ways of achieving their goals, but the need to convince workers to collectively take part and search for solutions to their problems and concerns remains central.

Unions are one of the important pillars in sustaining industrial democracy. Independent trade unions will continue to have a role to play in the future and provide society with the necessary checks and balances at the place of work and on a national level.

While figures for any union are an important feature, most unions have made it through various difficulties over a period of time. They have been occasionally dented, but not conquered.

The UHM will continue striving to reflect the aspirations of workers, pensioners and their families with energy, strength and with a clear vision and conscience. Our agenda is built on workers’ aspirations and the national good.



GWU – Definitely and absolutely yes. Trade unions today are not only important but also essential. Also, the fact that much more than half of the working population is organised reflects the importance that workers give to trade unions.

With the world of work changing rapidly and with new work practices being introduced, it is unimaginable to have a world of work with no trade unions, that is, without organisations that set important parameters in which employee relations take place.

If one takes into account the effects of the global recession, one immediately realises the need for trade unions and that they are more relevant than ever before. One also has to point out that it was the GWU that first came out with the proposal of urging the government to initiate a rescue plan to aid those companies that were going through difficult times as a consequence of the recession.

And surely this GWU initiative saved jobs, even if this fact is not publicly acknowledged and, unfortunately, credit is always given only to the government. This one example shows that trade unions are also major stakeholders in the economic development of society and the country. Besides, it must be noted that the unions represent workers on important government boards and institutions and so if they cease to exist employees will hardly have a voice in national and international fora. Trade unions still have an important role to play but the tactics have to change because the rules of the game have changed too.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=103760