The brewing clouds over the top levels of the General Workers Union came to a head yesterday with the announcement that Deputy Secretary General Manwel Micallef will take on Secretary-General Tony Zarb for the post of GWU Secretary-General in the 5 October national congress.

A short and terse announcement by Mr Micallef yesterday said that he had been approached by many delegates and GWU members.

“After thinking over what must be done in the future for the good of the union and its members,” Mr Micallef said in his statement, “and also considering the challenges the workers will face, I decided to continue offering my services within the union by also contesting for the post of secretary-general at the 5 October national congress.”

In a statement issued yesterday evening, Mr Zarb said he was informed by Mr Micallef yesterday afternoon of Mr Micallef's decision to contest both for the post of secretary general and that of deputy secretary general.

This is a democracy, Mr Zarb said, and anyone can contest for any post. But the decisions are taken only by the delegates, he added.