UHM file injunction in row over public transport worker representation

Also filed today was a judicial protest claiming that the majority place of the workers no longer trusted the GWU to fight their corner. 

UHM Sec Gen Josef Vella
UHM Sec Gen Josef Vella

The Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) had this morning filed a request for a court injunction to stop its rival, the General Workers Union (GWU), from concluding any agreement with regards the employees of Malta Public Transport Services (Operations) Ltd (MPTSOL), until voting has established which union represents the majority of the company’s workers.

In a hastily organized press conference outside court today, UHM General Secretary Josef Vella explained that the current system was not allowing workers to choose which union they want to represent their interests. “All the workers are asking for is a date for a vote.”

Lawyer Ian Spiteri Bailey told members of the press that some months ago, the UHM had asked to represent only MPT’s drivers, but the GWU had started court proceedings to stop this. Those proceedings are still pending, said the lawyer.

Today, an application for an injunction has been filed requesting the court prohibit the GWU from persisting in negotiations for a collective agreement, explaining that the circumstances had changed and that the GWU no longer enjoyed the support of the majority of workers.

A second application was filed informing the court that the UHM now wished to take over the representation of all MPT employees, not just its drivers.

Failure to do so would result in the denial of the right to association and the interests of the various workers, said the lawyer.

Also filed today was a judicial protest claiming that the majority place of the workers no longer trusted the GWU to fight their corner. According to the protest, 755 out of the 1090-strong workforce at MPTSOL have become members of UHM, giving it an absolute majority. “When workers leave a union, they are withdrawing their consent for it to represent them in negotiations,” said Spiteri Bailey.