The General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd and GSD Marketing Ltd announced the signing of a collective agreement with the General Workers' Union (GWU) for the period 2015 to 2018. The agreement, which covers all industrial employees, was signed in the presence of Union committee members at the Company premises in Marsa.

The agreement was reached after extensive and intense negotiations which were held over the past months between both parties. Employees will benefit from wage increases across all grades over the four-year term. A number of grades were also revised, in order to provide growth and development opportunities for current and future employees. The proposed package was approved by employees during a meeting recently held by GWU.

"I would like to thank the union and all colleagues involved for their professionalism during the negotiations. This agreement continues building on solid foundations of previous collective agreements and consolidates our partnership with GWU," said Chief Operating Officer Maria Micallef for the GSD companies.

Secretary General Josef Bugeja said: "The collective agreement was a result of efforts and goodwill by both sides in the best interest of employees. GSD's management team has always recognised that their employees truly are their most important resource."

The agreement was signed by COO Maria Micallef, General Manager Brian Galea, Chief Human Resources Manager Shirley Grixti and Human Resources Manager Stephen Bonnici for The General Soft Drinks and GSD Marketing. Secretary General Josef Bugeja, Deputy Secretary General Kevin Camilleri, Hospitality Section Secretary Kenny Muscat and Shop Steward Joe Grima signed for the General Workers' Union.

The General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd is responsible for manufacturing a wide range of soft drinks across Malta, including brands owned by The Coca‑Cola Company (TCCC) including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Fanta, Dr Pepper, Sprite, Schweppes and Kristal.

GSD Marketing Ltd is the distributing arm of The General Soft Drinks products and other drink brands including Stella Artois, Heineken in kegs, Bavaria, Berlin Beer, Lowenbrau, Cappy Juices, Caffe Mauro, Nestea, Powerade, Monster, Evian and Llanyr water.