Workers expected to seek explanation from union

A number of shipyard workers are this morning expected to go to the General Workers' Union headquarters in Valletta "to seek an explanation" as to why they are among the 900 workers chosen to be transferred from the Malta Drydocks or Malta Shipbuilding to the newly formed company Industrial Projects and Services Ltd (IPS).

Among the 'yard workers who have been offered voluntary redundancy schemes or early retirement are the former Malta Shipbuilding worker director Jesmond Tanti and the Malta Shipbuilding medical doctor, Jacob Basmadjan, who has been the sole doctor at Malta Shipbuilding for 15 years.

'Yard workers received letters from the management on Saturday: some 1,700 were told they would be retained by Malta Shipyards Ltd while 900 have been offered one of four early retirement or voluntary redundancy schemes.

Those who do not take up these schemes will be seconded to government departments, local councils and private-public partnerships, or to the private sector on a voluntary basis or following consultation with the union.

The union has also sent all 'yard employees correspondence outlining the salient points of the collective agreement as well as details concerning the transfer to IPS.

These who had any difficulties were asked to go to the union premises today.

There have been mixed feelings: some of the 1,700 being retained wanted to be transferred while others among the 900 wanted to stay on at the 'yard.

Sources said a number of those being transferred feel they have been discriminated against. Others argued that those who have had quarrels with managers in the past have been sidelined.

The union will be assisting those who are unhappy with the transfer to lodge their objection.

An assessment of the workforce had been made some two years ago and 'yard workers were judged on several criteria including skills and performance. A revision of this exercise has been made recently. Those wanting to contest the outcome can get details of their score from the ETC Job centre in Zachary Street.

Staff from the Social Security department and the ETC will also be present to give details about any missing or outstanding NI contributions to those opting to retire.

A two-thirds pension has been offered to those aged 56 and over. Those aged between 50 and 55 have been offered a lump sum equivalent to 20 weeks pay for every year until they reach 56, when they can opt to have a two-thirds pension.

Those aged between 40 and 49 have been offered an ex-gratia payment equivalent to 3.25 times their current basic salary, capped at Lm17,000 while those under 40 have been offered eight weeks' pay for every year of service capped at Lm12,000 for those with more than 15 years service or Lm10,000 if with less.

About 220 workers are to remain at the Marsa 'yard and just under 1,500 will remain at the shiprepair 'yard in Cottonera. Both groups will be engaged by Malta Shipyards Ltd, which has taken over all the ship repair and shipbuilding functions that used to be carried out by the two shipyards. The 220 at the Marsa 'yard will eventually end up at the Cottonera 'yard as the Marsa 'yard is scheduled to close down.