The Malta Employers' Association said today that the current state of affairs at De La Rue is yet another case of inter union rivalry disrupting industrial relations stability in a major company in Malta.

The Association stated that this situation is benefitting neither the company nor the employees, and underscored the fact that management is only bound to discuss collective industrial relations matters with the union which gains recognition through a proven majority of employees who are its members. This is one of the pillars of industrial relations in Malta which is now being undermined by a union that does not have recognition and is stirring unrest to boost its membership. 

The Association acknowledged that unions have a right to solicit for membership, as long as this is done within professional and ethical parameters that do not place jobs and investment in jeopardy. It called for responsible practice by unions, at De La Rue and elsewhere by placing employees' welfare ahead of self-preservation in their list of priorities.

UHM says it expected MEA to condemn unethical behaviour and not criticise union

The UHM said in a statement that the union spoke about what is really happening at De La Rue and that the issues at stake need to be addressed as soon as possible.

The UHM said that it would have expected the MEA to condemn the fact that a member of theirs (De La Rue) did not act in an ethical manner with his workers instead of criticising a union.

The UHM cannot ever accept the fact that workers are misguided by the management of a company to sign a document which includes a job description as an excuse that this is simply a resignation.

 

Meanwhile, the UHM said that it expects that the MEA guides its member to have these forms returned to the workers who were forced into signing such documents.

Read more.