aThe first activity of the General Workers’ Union in the new year will be a national conference to discuss occupational health and safety, GWU general secretary Tony Zarb told a GWU social activity for the media. He said the union could not wait any longer to see something concrete done to reduce the number of occupational accidents, many of which were fatal.

Almost everyone involved in the sector had agreed with the union’s call for such a conference, Mr Zarb said, and the aim was to invite anyone who could contribute, including the political parties, unions, employers and the Church.

He also recalled one of the resolutions approved at the union’s October national conference relating to new methods of work being introduced in the country. The GWU was determined to ensure that these new methods would not weaken the conditions of work or rights which workers enjoyed today.

Mr Zarb said that in spite of all attempts made to dishearten its membership, the union had over the past 11 months welcomed 2,040 new members, which was proof of how far the workers trusted the union.