The General Workers' Union (GWU) has announced industrial action at Dar Emmaus in Gozo and registered an industrial dispute with Malta MedAir, accusing both employers of failing to engage with the recognised union.
Industrial action at Dar Emmaus is set to begin on Monday, 10 August, after management, through its legal representative, declined to attend a conciliation meeting organised by the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER), according to the GWU.
The union also issued Malta MedAir with notice of industrial action after claiming the airline had refused to provide employment documents required for negotiations on a new collective agreement.
The GWU said it had repeatedly sought dialogue with Fondazzjoni Kenn u Tama, which manages Dar Emmaus, to discuss issues affecting its members. However, the foundation allegedly informed the union in official correspondence that it was "not interested in attending any meeting" with GWU representatives.
The union described the decision as unacceptable, arguing that it ran contrary to the principles of good industrial relations and effective worker representation.
It said that, as the recognised union representing the workers concerned, it had been left with no alternative but to issue industrial directives.
The GWU added that it remained willing to resolve the dispute through dialogue should management agree to engage, but warned it was prepared to escalate its actions if no meaningful progress was achieved.
In a separate case, the GWU's Maritime and Aviation Section said it had formally registered an industrial dispute with Malta MedAir after the airline allegedly refused to provide documents outlining the terms and conditions of employment for the workers the union represents.
The union said it was officially recognised by DIER only a few weeks ago as the representative body for employees in certain grades within Malta MedAir and had requested the documentation ahead of collective agreement negotiations.
According to the GWU, the company's refusal to provide the documents was preventing it from effectively representing employees and delaying the collective bargaining process.
Maritime and Aviation Section Secretary Jurgen Azzopardi said collective bargaining should be based on transparency, mutual respect and recognition of the union's role.
He argued that refusing a recognised union access to essential employment documentation undermined workers' representation and sound industrial relations.
The GWU said it hoped the dispute could still be resolved through cooperation and dialogue but reserved the right to escalate industrial action should the company fail to engage.
The union said its priority in both cases remained safeguarding workers' rights and ensuring fair and effective industrial relations.