The role of today’s trade unionist

As long as we ensure our workers are sufficiently skilled, the EU’s opportunities are there for the taking, Union Haddiema Maghqudin secretary general, Gejtu Vella, tells MIRIAM DUNN

When discussions on Malta’s European Union bid first began gathering pace, the Union Haddiema Maghqudin was one of the social partners to take a pro-membership stand, even prior to the outcome of negotiations.

And then, some months down the road, the General Workers’ Union announced it had decided that becoming an EU member was not in Malta’s best interest.

So how had Malta’s two major unions wound up with opposing positions on EU membership? This was one of the questions that was uppermost in my mind to put to UHM secretary general Gejtu Vella.

Perhaps surprisingly, he doesn’t find the GWU’s stand on the EU puzzling.

"I view it as a straightforward issue and I believe that sooner or later - hopefully sooner - the GWU will change its stand," he says. "By doing so it will be joining all other trade unions in the EU, ensuring solidarity is fostered among all workers in Malta."

So how does he react to the GWU’s argument that Malta can push forward with reforms on its own, without support from the EU?

"These are easy words to say, but it doesn’t happen in practice," he replies. "Let’s take what used to be called the CERA as an example. The fact of the matter is that we had a piece of legislation dating back to 1952 and it is only now, because we are preparing for EU membership, that the government is taking the initiative to put 11 new directives in place."

Mr Vella smiles as he strains to find diplomatic words for what he wants to say next.

"Unfortunately in Malta, political parties tend to speak loudly when they are in opposition about how they can solve our problems, but their plans do not always materialise once they are in government," he says. "The result of this trend is that workers rights come under threat. At least if Malta joins the EU, there will be a set of standards which everybody has to abide by - entrepreneurs, workers and governments -irrespective of the party in power."

But is Mr Vella concerned that alongside the gain of standards, Maltese workers will inevitably have to endure some of the pain that restructuring is sure to bring?

He answers my question with one of his own.

"There is no doubt that restructuring is painful, but do we have any alternative?" he asks. "And are we doing it because we want to join the EU or because it must be done anyway?"

Mr Vella believes the changes taking place are necessary and the fruit they will reap must be taken on board.

"We are introducing a certain level of economic discipline and a new social pact which will bring opportunities for the workers and a dynamic, constantly-evolving system which Malta will be able to embrace on membership," he says. "The EU is an opportunity for everyone. But we have to be capable of seizing those opportunities."

The UHM secretary general considers the EU referendum to be weighty enough to merit a separate day at the polls from a general election and also hopes the partisan politics engulfing the issue will dissolve somewhat.

"I would definitely prefer to have these two votes held separately," he says. "It is important that the general public are aware that they are not voting to elect political parties or their leaders.

"They must realise that they are voting for the future and on a matter of national interest. There needs to be a clear difference and an appreciation and understanding of what everybody is voting for."

As we move on to the subject of how trade unionism has evolved over the years, Mr Vella, who has been secretary general at the UHM for four years, jokes that even his post is "no job for life".

"I believe trade unions in Malta are coming of age," he continues. "We have moved with the times, and yes, there is less confrontation and more dialogue.

"We are more receptive and appreciative of other points of view and simultaneously we feel that workers’ aspirations are also being met and understood better because we are all communicating more effectively."

The secretary general, who used to work in the hotel industry, believes the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development has been effective in this regard, although its evolution is slow-moving.

"I think that everyone was expecting all the parties involved on the MCESD to be reaping fruit the day after it was set up," he admits. "Yes, things are taking time, but we need to understand that at least, the council is changing the way we think and redefining our attitudes.

"Rather than being at loggerheads, we’re discussing the problems but with the same objective of trying to find a solution."

So what fine-tuning would he like to see at the MCESD?

"We need to have a long-term strategy," is his reply. "I would like to see discussions focusing not only on short-term matters, such as the budget, but also talks on where our aspirations lie for the next five years - what the structures will be for this scenario, productivity levels, the work ethic and how we will face new challenges.

"These issues have been talking points for years, but now, through the MCESD, we need to come to concrete conclusions with a focused objective aimed at ensuring sustainable economic growth and social development."

Mr Vella admits that his knowledge of trade unionism was sparse when he first joined the UHM.

"I had a picture in my mind of lots of smoking, shouting and even swearing!" he laughs.

But joking apart, he believes that the union is helping its members to embrace rather than fear the inevitable changes which are approaching. "We would rather be the motivators of change than be incapable of implementing or dealing with it," he says. "Workers are now appreciating change is for their benefit, providing it is well-managed, and I’m proud that we’re helping them in this regard."

He highlights what he believes to be a key to success in the new economy.

"It is vital that we have a multi-skilled workforce – as long as we have educated and trained or retrained people, the opportunities will be there for people to grab," he says.

Mr Vella explains that the UHM marked this year’s Workers’ Day activities with the theme of education.

"The union has embarked on a project to train workers and the ETC is also playing its part, but we need to have modules at each place of work," he says. "I am also pleased to see MCAST up and running again.

"I never really understood why it was closed down, but at least its reopening shows that people are realising the importance of vocational training."

We turn to another tricky issue – that of pensions. Does Mr Vella believe private pensions are the only way forward?

"In Malta we currently have four workers for every pensioner and in 20 years we will have two for one, so there is no doubt that we have to address this problem and take corrective measures," he says. "There probably needs to be a good mix of private and state pensions, but what is important is that we agree on a package which is tailor-made for Malta to ensure there is a smooth transition from one system to another."

Mr Vella stresses that the package must be aimed at not only safeguarding pensioners but also ensuring the welfare system is sustainable.

"There are other questions that need answering, like who’s going to pay for the medical services at the new hospital," he points out.

He also expresses his disappointment that the MLP is not participating in talks on welfare reform.

"This is worrying because these are national issues that merit a healthy discussion irrespective of the political shades of the representatives," he says. "We need everybody’s point of view represented."

I cannot end an interview with a trade unionist without bringing up the issue of the support both the UHM and GWU give to the public sector workers to protect their summer working hours, in the face of a frustrated private sector and even Joe Citizen. Aren’t the unions simply being held to ransom by their members?

Mr Vella smiles.

"I’m sure the issue of half days will come up this year, it is on the agenda every summer!" he says. "But rather than dismissing it out of hand, I want to emphasise that the UHM looks to be proactive in these matters."

The key, he believes, is for both sides to try to look at the issue as a whole and work out what the ultimate goal is.

"This is what was done in France, where a 35-hour week has been introduced and productivity has remained the same as it was before," he says. "Both sides are happy with the outcome."

He stresses that there have been instances where the union has discussed the doing away of half days.

"If the workforce needs to be more efficient, more flexible and better customer-orientated, then this is what we will work towards," he says. "But both sides need to look at the matter from different perspectives, and unfortunately, that is still rare in Malta."

And in this day of modern trade unionism, at what stage does Mr Vella believe industrial action is justified?

"When my colleagues and I are absolutely sure there are no other avenues or options open to us," is his reply. "It is not a decision we take lightly and even when we have embarked on action, we still make every effort to get round the negotiating table in a bid to find a solution."

Mr Vella concedes that unions are sometimes criticised for the repercussions of industrial action, but believes this is partly due to the unions’ failure to inform the public why the action has been taken.

He also points out that responsibility for trying to find a solution is shared.

"Let’s not forget the people the other side of the table," he says. "And perhaps what we should remember is that often, after we have taken industrial action, a compromise is found.

"One cannot help wondering whether many problems could be solved without us having to go to those lengths."