The General Workers’ Union maritime and aviation section informed Tug Malta that it is considering ordering industrial action if the company does not reply to proposals submitted by the union on the collective agreement.

The union will be holding a meeting for Tug Malta employees on Tuesday to inform them about developments that have taken place. It will also inform them about steps that could be taken unless an agreement is reached by the end of the month.

In a counter-statement, the Investments, Industry and IT Ministru condemned the GWU’s stand, which it said was taken on a fictitious pretext that there is a delay from the company’s side.

This is not true, the ministry said. Tug Malta management has been insisting with the GWU since last January for negotiations to start on a collective agreement, but the first proposals from the union arrived only last November.

It is clear that the GWU’s threats have nothing to do with the collective agreement, but on the fact that the privatisation of the company is at an advanced stage. As had happened in the Sea Malta privatisation issue, the GWU is now embarking on an intentional strategy to harm the negotiations and possibly stop the privatisation process.

The management will be making its counter-proposals without delay, but warned the union that its (the union’s) position is threatening the employment of its members.