GWU contradicts Palumbo Shipyards statement on employee’s dismissal

The General Workers’ Union has issued a statement condemning what it claimed was an attempt by Palumbo Shipyards to “twist facts” about an alleged protest by employees which took place at the shipyards.

Earlier today it was reported that employees at the shipyard had abandoned their work stations in protest of the dismissal of one of their colleagues a few days ago.

This prompted Palumbo to issue a statement where they denied that any protest had been held. The company said that rather than hold a protest, employees were seen standing at the shipyard’s gate because they were briefing the GWU’s representative who was about to meet with the company’s management over the dismissal.

“To set the record straight, it should be noted that this worker had been in employment of the company for less than six months, and was therefore still under probation,” read a statement.

It said that over the course of his probationary period, the company had deemed the employee’s performance to be “unsatisfactory and, furthermore, it was further considered that his conduct in relation to a member of management this morning was completely unacceptable”.

The company added that though it was within “its rights at law“ to dismiss the employee, it had decided to continue paying his salary up to the expiration of his probationary period.

The union however has claimed that a protest did in fact take place.

“The reality is that workers are no longer going to tolerate intimidation by their employer,” said a statement by the union, adding that the protest was proof of this, and a show of support towards their colleague, who had been unjustly and arbitrarily fired.  

Moreover, the union insisted it was untrue that the employee had been arrogant with a member of the company’s management.

“In reality, events unfolded in a different way,” said the union. “It was the member of management that tried to force the worker to write and sign a resignation letter. It was the same member of management that threatened the same employee, that if he did not do so, he would have the police called on him.”

It said that because the employee had resisted the company’s intimidation, it had made up an excuse to fire him.

“His colleagues are all denying this, and that is why they decided to protest against the management’s lies and intimidation,” it added.

Finally, the union said that it was warning the management at Palumbo Shipyards to immediately cease with its “arrogant” behaviour, insisting it would continue to take note of that which is taking place at the shipyard and that it was prepared to take any legal action to safeguard workers’ rights, including a strike.