GWU 'militants' make clean sweep

General Workers' Union secretary general Tony Zarb has secured his place in the organisation's top seat for another four years, netting over 80 per cent of valid votes cast by union delegates yesterday.

Emanuel Micallef, who was challenging Mr Zarb for the secretary general's post, effectively lost his job at the Workers' Memorial Building when he was beaten by Michael Parnis in the battle for the post of deputy secretary general for education and international affairs, which he also contested.

"Delegates have given a clear answer to those who tried to dictate who should lead this union," an emotional Mr Zarb said at the close of the congress held at the Radisson SAS Golden Sands.

Mr Zarb said the GWU would continue to be a militant union as it had been since its inception.

"Militancy means we will defend workers until the end," he said, launching a strong message against "those who try to undermine the union's work".

"Today, I am sealing a pact with you delegates that I will bring whoever tries to undermine the GWU before this congress for its judgment," Mr Zarb promised.

Mr Zarb had resigned in April 2003 but withdrew his resignation after a delegation from the union convinced him not to step down. He had imposed a number of conditions on the GWU council which included that he would only serve until this month and that a secretary general designate would be appointed in his stead.

Mr Zarb polled 468 of the 584 valid votes cast, to Mr Micallef's 116.

Delegates who spoke to The Times said they had expected Mr Zarb to win but thought Mr Micallef would obtain a better result. A good number said the result had been greatly influenced by last-minute lobbying for a block vote to eliminate Mr Micallef.

All top officials' posts were contested at the union's national congress.

Gejtu Mercieca, who had been secretary of the printing, energy and chemical section, replaced Mr Micallef as deputy secretary general.

Josephine Attard Sultana and Roberto Cristiano also contested the post. A second vote had to be taken in the afternoon because none of the candidates obtained 50 per cent plus one of the votes after a first election. Ms Attard Sultana obtained 151 votes in the first run, Mr Cristiano got 171 while Mr Mercieca obtained 262.

Mr Mercieca swore "absolute loyalty" to Mr Zarb at the end of the congress, stating he would never betray him or try to unseat him.

After Ms Attard Sultana - who had the least number of votes - was eliminated, delegates were called again to choose between the two remaining candidates. Mr Mercieca won by 307 votes of the 553 valid votes cast. Mr Cristiano obtained 247 votes.

Salvu Sammut was confirmed as the Union's president, winning 425 of the 584 valid votes. The other contender for this post was Raymond Arpa, who obtained 159 votes.

Helen Mallia was also confirmed GWU vice-president, winning 480 out of 585 valid votes. Godfrey Borg, who challenged Ms Mallia, obtained only 105 votes.

The run-up to the elections had been characterised by the GWU's self-imposed media ban which prohibited candidates from giving interviews or writing in newspapers other than the media owned and controlled by the union.

Propaganda flyers were used to attack candidates and encourage block votes.

One full-colour, glossy flyer bearing the signature of the "workers loyal to Gejtu Mercieca", called for a block vote to elect Mr Zarb, along with Mr Sammut, Mr Parnis, Ms Mallia and Mr Mercieca himself to automatically eliminate Mr Micallef.

Throughout the campaign, these candidates were considered as forming part of the "militant" faction, as opposed to the moderate camp headed by Mr Micallef.

A number of flyers left in the car park outside the congress hall of the Radisson SAS Golden Sands were not just propaganda material but made defamatory accusations against Mr Micallef.

Another flyer attacked media and services section secretary Karmenu Vella, port section secretary Manwel Zammit and Ms Attard Sultana, saying these formed part of Mr Micallef's "clique". "We no longer want them in the General Workers' Union," the flyer said.

In a brief address to the delegates, Mr Micallef said he forgave those who had attacked him personally during the campaign. He said the union should continue working in the interest of workers.

Asked for his reactions, Mr Micallef said that from the initial response to his candidacy, he had not expected the result.

"I was getting feedback from delegates that there was a lot of pressure being put on them to eliminate me.

"I think that delegates were not aware of the precarious situation the union is in and the bold changes that have to be made to get the union back in the right direction.

"Once again we had an attack on the messenger not on the message. I respect the result, but I still believe in the vision I had for the union and the direction it needs to take.

"I appreciate the role of the union's electoral commission, but I was disgusted with the low, dirty, personal campaign that was waged against me," Mr Micallef said.

He added he was proud of the service he had given and did not regret taking this step.

"I was the only one who was risking my seat but I wanted to prove that I was not bound to the seat," he said.

Mr Micallef said he could still work in industrial relations and does not exclude that he will continue to be active in the trade union movement.

The GWU congress was addressed by a number of speakers including European Trade Union Council president John Monks, Opposition leader Alfred Sant and Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg.