The General Workers' Union has denied that its staff have ever threatened or assaulted residents staying at Dar Emmaus and have called for its industrial dispute with the voluntary organisation to resolve its payment row.
On Friday, 14 August, Dar Emmaus alleged through a written statement that several GWU staff working at Dar Emmaus - which offers support to domestic violence victims in Gozo - have been aggressive with management and residents at Dar Emmaus' premises, as well as speaking against the home's leadership.
Dar Emmaus had also stated that many GWU staff working there had not been carrying out their work as they should have after being found to be sleeping through full night shifts via CCTV footage.
The two parties are currently involved in an industrial dispute which centres on a payment row, among other matters. The GWU is requesting a new collective agreement with wage improvements, while Dar Emmaus said it cannot offer unless its fixed income is increased by the Ministry for Family and Children's Rights.
Meanwhile, on Sunday morning, the GWU has demanded that "workers be paid when Dar Emmaus obliges them to remain at its disposal and assume responsibility for residents during unpaid breaks." It added that "A worker who remains on site and is available to perform duties is working. The law requires that this time be remunerated. The GWU will not accept any arrangement that amounts to unpaid labour."
The GWU responded to Dar Emmaus' statement by categorically denying the allegations made that its staff are threatening and/or assaulting people at the facility.
The GWU believes it to be "unacceptable" for Dar Emmaus to use "an allegation against an individual" on all workers and undermine industrial action taken against in accordance with the law. The trade union noted that any evidence of wrongdoing against a specific worker should be addressed through established disciplinary procedures, on a case-by-case basis, and that the GWU is ready and willing to cooperate in this regard.
"The allegation that workers are threatening or assaulting residents is a grave one, and the GWU categorically denies it," the GWU said.
The trade union continued that Dar Emmaus should forward this evidence through disciplinary channels or to the relevant authorities, "rather than floating unresolved accusations in a public statement," especially as Dar Emmaus reminded that its residents are vulnerable individuals.
The GWU said that it is insisting on "adequate staff, proper pay, and working conditions that enable staff to carry out their duties properly" precisely because residents at Dar Emmaus are vulnerable individuals. Here, it noted that whenever a carer is left alone at night, without security, as the GWU had warned could happen, it is the resident placed at risk - not the union that issued the warning.
The trade union mentioned that if staff and safety issues are not formally addressed at the negotiating table, then it will raise them with DIER and, where relevant, with the sector regulator, the Social Care Standards Authority (SCSA).
"The workers at Dar Emmaus have dedicated years of service to the residents of this home. They deserve recognition, not to be used as an excuse to maintain unchanged working conditions. The GWU remains open to negotiations, with one core condition: that its recognition and the rights of the workers it represents are fully respected," the GWU concluded.