GWU objects to "meddling" with industrial legislation

The government was intending to "meddle" with the Industrial Relations Act without consulting the General Workers' Union, the union said yesteday.

The GWU was referring to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's statement on Sunday that the government would be amending the law, following consultation with the social partners, so that the measure to reduce leave could be actuated.

The GWU challenged Dr Gonzi to say which of the social partners he had consulted because, it claimed, there had been no talks with the union.

"If he had consulted with employers then he has continued to strengthen the GWU's initial comments that the Budget leans more towards employers."

The union felt that the government's move to amend the act was "very dangerous" and meant that it could also arbitrarily change every other part of the same law without serious consultation with the social partners.

The union will continue to insist on its position when it meets the Prime Minister on Thursday in Parliament, it said.