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local
news
La
Salle controversy
GWU bows to workers and public
opinion
With the majority of the population growing weary of paying taxes
to subsidise the Drydocks, the General Workers' Union had no option
but to take note of public opinion and agree to the La Salle contract,
according to high-ranking GWU insiders.
The fact that the GWU took a stand against Malta's prospective
European Union membership after being called on to do so by the
union's leadership and, from more of a distance, the Labour Party,
was to be expected.
However, the union's decision on La Salle took many by surprise
particularly since the Labour Party, although taking a back seat
on the issue, still claims that the US Navy contract goes against
the Constitution.
But the fact that the majority of Dockyard workers wanted to work
on the La Salle was one of the deciding factors in the climbdown,
together with the massive vote against an opt-out on the very
popular television programme, Xarabank.
There is still a marked division between high-ranking GWU officials
in terms of both the La Salle contract and EU membership. MaltaToday
can also reveal that five high-ranking officials who were in favour
of European Union membership, were also those who felt that the
constitutional clause about super powers is today null. Meanwhile
the remaining four, three members of the Malta Labour Party, stood
against the adoption of both issues.
Drydocks section secretary, Tony Coleiro, arguably the most militant
of all, held a meeting for shop stewards and delegates of his
section on Monday, during which he stressed that work on La Salle
would be carried out in this instance. He added, however, that
no other similar work would be carried out unless the issues causing
complications with the Constitution were cleared up.
The sources said that the MLP had thought that when George Abela
made his exit from the GWU, the level of conflict would disappear,
but those in favour of the EU and constitutional change have steadfastly
stood their ground. |
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