An overwhelming majority of members of the Malta Dockers Union – licensed port workers – approved the port reforms agreement negotiated by their union and the government.

The union – formed when its members broke off from the General Workers’ Union after interference by the GWU in decisions of their representative committee – called the meeting for the members’ approval of the agreement. Over 340 of the 360 licensed port workers attended, the union said.

Union president Joe Saliba and legal consultant George Abela addressed the meeting to explain the agreement reached in detail, and to answer questions from the floor.

A long discussion and various interventions by the union members were followed by prolonged applause and praise for their committee and consultant by those present, the union said.

The union was set up by 312 port workers last September after they resigned from the GWU because of GWU interference. Dr Abela was appointed as their legal consultant.