President and GWU hold talks on criminal charges against the union

by Sandro Mangion

Following contacts between President Guido de Marco and the General Workers' Union's central administration over the past days, the two sides had a very significant yet unadvertised encounter yesterday afternoon.

"It was His Excellency who took the initiative," GWU secretary general Tony Zarb told The Malta Business Weekly at the end of the over two-hour long meeting. "We have primarily discussed the situation the GWU is facing, mainly the criminal charges issued by the State against union members and leaders," he added. The top man of Malta's largest trade union described the discussion as interesting and fruitful.

The talks, which were held at the San Anton presidential palace, started at 1.30pm and the union's delegation left the place at 3.45pm. The public relations offices of both the President of the Republic and the GWU did not inform the press of the meeting.

Before getting into his car, Mr Zarb commented that the meeting shows President de Marco's appreciation of the GWU's committed work in favour of and on behalf of the Maltese workers.

"The contacts of the past days and this meeting with the President are proof of what we have long been stressing upon," Mr Zarb said. "We are the workers' defenders, not criminals. It is clear that the country's highest authority is aware of this fact."

The GWU's delegation, lead by Mr Zarb, also included the union's President James Pearsall, deputy secretary generals Mario Cutajar and Michael Parnis, vice-president Salvu Sammut and the GWU's legal counsel George Abela. Dr Abela also heads the team of lawyers defending the GWU members and officials who are facing criminal charges following the industrial actions at the Malta International Airport on 20 August.