 |
|
|
|
local
news
EU report was a quick fix says GWU
official
By a
political correspondent
The report produced for the General Workers' Union on European Union
membership was only completed in recent weeks and was tailor-made
to suit the wishes of the GWU's leadership.
On the outcome of this report, GWU members are to be asked to take
an anti-EU stand in a vote at the beginning of next month.
But insiders described the report as a quick-fix, catalysed by the
union's desperate attempt to reach some ‘unclear' deadline.
A senior GWU official told MaltaToday that most of the section secretaries
favoured EU membership, but were aware that if they took a stand
in favour of Europe, they would have to suffer a backlash from the
their members, since they are considered to be faithful labourite
members first and foremost.
"It is not true that Alfred Sant has pressurised Tony Zarb
in any way, but Mr Zarb has figured out that an anti-EU stance will
bring his leadership into question," the source said. "Just
remember when the dockyard workers protested against him. They went
so far as to accuse him of being a Teletubbie."
The source said that the real pressure is coming from people like
Mario Cutajar who have become infatuated with Alfred Sant.
"If he takes a position in favour of Europe, the militants
will back Mario Cutajar who is seen as being the closest to Labour
and Tony Zarb will be toppled," he explained.
The individuals who wrote the report are only known to the inner
sanctorum. There had been rumours that Joseph Muscat was the main
brain behind it – something denied by Mr Muscat himself yesterday
afternoon when contacted by MaltaToday.
The GWU source told us: "I cannot tell you who wrote the report,
because they will know it is me who is talking to you."
Mr Zarb is now piloting a motion that will effectively mean that
the GWU will be asking its members to support the union in an anti-EU
stance.
The move will come as a shock to partner unions and left-wing organisations
in Europe who are not only overtly pro-EU, but view the European
Union as a tool to better workers' conditions, salaries and work
ethics.
And strangely, once again, the union's stance has aligned it to
anti-EU hysteria that is normally associated with the right and
the europhobes.
At the union itself, steps have been taken to ensure that all the
general's men are in place.
One recent move that has taken place at the union newspaper l-Orrizont,
appears to have slotted in place with the line of thinking. It refers
to the appointment of Richard Mifsud as News Editor.
Mr Mifsud replaces Sammy Sammut who was seen as too dovish, though
he still retains the conditions of News Editor.
Mr Mifsud is also seen as being faithful to Mr Zarb and is perceived
by the Zarb clan as a welcome balance to the editor Frans Ghirxi,
who has been scolded and warned on the positioning of various union
stories in the newspaper.
|
|
|
