GWU reacts to minister's comments

The General Workers' Union yesterday reacted briefly but sternly to statements by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who on Tuesday warned that unless talks on the shipyards' collective agreement were concluded by the end of September, "the government would take the necessary decisions to ensure that the restructuring process would not be hindered".

The GWU said it was always prepared to meet and discuss with the management, but it was never willing to hold talks under threat.

"If the minister continues with his plans and attitude, the GWU will have no option but to act as a trade union should, always within the remit of the law and with all the consequences such actions may bring with them," the GWU said.

The union also took exception to Dr Gonzi's statement that the current restructuring report had been discussed by the task force which unanimously approved it in December, 2001.

The union said it was not true that there was "unanimous agreement" as the GWU had serious reservations over four points in the report and this was evident from the minutes of the same Task Force.