It is not difficult to understand the people`s sense of deep
frustration when they try to understand to what extent some
workers in state-owned debt-ridden enterprises go to preserve
the status quo.
Even when such enterprises are in an on-going struggle to win
new contracts, some workers simply refuse to be flexible in
their work. In far too many places, including in some parts of
the civil service and state hospitals, people still cling to
outdated work practices.
Some time ago, 16 burners/welders at Malta Shipbuilding in
Marsa refused to be temporarily transferred to Malta Drdyocks
for work on a Norwegian ship.
According to the metal workers` section secretary, Mr Tony
Coliero, (with whom a number of shop stewards are now refusing
to work), their objection was based on the nature of the work
involved and personal problems.
With good reason, the island`s taxpayers applauded the
management`s decision to suspend the workers for refusing to go
to Malta Drydocks, believing that at last we are beginning to
get somewhere, that the `yard was not going to accept such an
attitude.
But then came the news that following the intervention of the
metal workers` section of the General Workers` Union, the
workers had accepted to work at Malta Drydocks and that
following talks between the management and the section, the
workers were to be paid for the time they were suspended.
How can one begin to explain this in the light of the
financial situation of the two `yards and, more so, of the fact
that an agreement signed in 1989 makes it possible for the
transfer of workers from one `yard to another, according to
needs?
The management, according to Mr Coleiro, has now bound itself
to ensure that the workers are first made familiar with the
environment in which they are sent to work before they are
actually assigned such work.
If this is correct, are not the people entitled to know from
the management of the `yard what exactly has been agreed upon
with the union`s section? And who is going to pay for the Polish
workers who had to be brought over when the workers refused to
work at Malta Drydocks? How much will the importation of foreign
labour cost Malta Drydocks?
Is it not quite reasonable for people observing the situation
at Malta Shipbuilding to conclude that both the management and
the government have been weak over the matter? No one would want
to put any workers in danger at any place of work, but surely
such matters as safety at work are considered in advance by the
management before they assign workers for particular jobs.
Only a few days ago, the worker director at Malta
Shipbuilding expressed fears that come September, that is, next
month, many workers would be idle as there was not enough work
for them to do. And yet, some of his colleagues can still decide
to down their tools over a matter that should have been
immediately seen to by the workers` union, without forcing the
management of the yard to import foreign labour.
Is it not time for the unions to work harder than they have
done so far for the removal of outdated work practices?
