A recent meeting involving representatives of the General Workers Union, the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions and the Forum Unions Maltin was given little space in the media, except in the GWU’s own newspaper

l-orizzont, which screamed “historic” on its front page the day after it was held.

It will be historic only if, in posterity, it is remembered as the launching pad for a new era of relations between the different factions of the trade union sector, which over the years have grown further apart with different positions being taken and personality clashes.

Up to now, it is just another feeble attempt to sort out the differences that exist, this time under the chairmanship of industrial relations expert Prof. Edward Zammit. The initiative is most welcome, but it is too early, much too early, to claim a step forward, or to describe the occasion as being “historic”. It has happened too many times before that unions seem on the point of converging, and then quickly move apart.

Just remember what happened on 14 November 2008, when 21 unions marched together to protest against the water and electricity rates. It was only a few days later that the Malta Union of Teachers broke away from the CMTU and joined Forum after its suggestion regarding a formation of a Trades Union Council, put forward in the aftermath of that protest march, was rejected by the confederation of which it formed a part.

The same people who on that fateful November day were on the same stage, solemnly holdings hands in what appeared to be a sign of unity against government measures, soon ended up crossing swords in a bitter dispute that has continued right up to this very day.

Since then, the trade union sector has been divided, much more than it ever was before. The allegiance formed between the GWU and Forum, known as the Għaqda Unions Maltin but which has no formal statute to stand on, is on one side, while the CMTU, with the UHM as its largest member, is at the other end. When, 16 months after that first protest, Parliament was to debate an Opposition motion on energy costs, another two protest marches were held, but this time the CMTU and its members did not take part.

The countless tit-for-tats that have ensued, many of which have been serious affairs that often went close to being personal attacks, have not helped create a good climate. Newspaper articles and interviews have led to court cases being instituted, and although verbally union officials say that they are ready to sit down and talk, this is not followed up by concrete action.

And, quite frankly, I have serious doubts as to whether the intentions are good enough for the unions to move closer together and work more as a team. There are too many interests – both as unions, and also among the different individuals concerned – to expect that the cracks that grew into crevices will be patched up anytime soon.

For one thing, the approach that is adopted by the two factions on certain issues is too dissimilar to expect them to come to terms on how one single unified trade union movement should be run. With the General Workers Union and Forum Unions Maltin, including its individual member unions, taking a more militant stand each time there is some kind of conflict, while the CMTU and its own affiliates opt for more cautious and level-headed positions, it is hard to believe that the formation of one union body is in the offing.

Secondly, although they have workers’ conditions as their common interest, they have their own particular turf to defend, and are always ready to hit out each time someone tries to step on it. It does not help that there are trade union leaders who want to steal the show to bask in the media glory. Some of them love the spotlight more than politicians.

Another divisive issue is Forum’s request to join the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, which has been backed by the GWU but not supported by the CMTU. The friction that this issue has caused – and will continue to cause until it is resolved, if ever – is irreparable.

Unions have been in the news for other reasons these in recent days. Last Wednesday, the General Workers Union celebrated its 68th anniversary with its traditional conference, while its arch-rival, the UHM, is preparing to hold its own event in two weeks time during which there will be a change at the top.

After 13 years, UHM secretary-general Gejtu Vella will call it quits and leave the union leadership in the hands of Josef Vella. Mr Gejtu Vella will leave a stronger union than the one he took over, and his experience in the field will be sorely missed.

Whether one agrees with him or not, his departure leaves a void that will be hard to fill, and his adversaries at the other end of the trade union spectrum are probably delighted that the affable but highly competent Mr Vella will be out of the picture. They probably think that the UHM will take time to find its feet and might use this to strengthen their own position, not only within their own organisation but also in other spheres where unions have their own representation, such as on the MCESD.

To go back to the GWU’s own conference, I thought it was rather cheeky for secretary-general Tony Zarb to speak of discrimination because Mr Vella, and UHM president Gejtu Tanti, were given appointments on government authorities. There was a time when the GWU did not have directorships, but it had a seat on the Labour government Cabinet.

It did not speak of discrimination then.

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