Charlot Zahra
After five hours of marathon discussions between Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and the trade unions about the utility tariffs at the Auberge de Castille yesterday, no agreement has been reached yet, although they were a step closer to an accord. Tomorrow, government is expected to present detailed workings of the proposals on which there is agreement.
Describing yesterday’s meeting as “positive,” Gonzi was hopeful that tomorrow’s document will conclude discussions.
“We now have to formalise what we discussed and produce a document which we have to pass back to the unions. I hope that this will lead to a conclusion,” Gonzi said.
GWU Secretary-General Tony Zarb also sounded positive, praising the discussions for being “very productive”.
Asked by MaltaToday whether there had been any progress on the unions’ proposal of postponing the introduction of the new water and electricity tariffs till 1 January 2008, Zarb was tight-lipped on the matter: “The workings will come out later,” he said.
Speaking a short time later, UHM Secretary-General described yesterday’s meetings as “social dialogue at its best”.
“We now await the Government to come forward with its documentation about what was discussed,” Vella said on the stairs of Castille in the searing cold and blistery winds.
On his part, MAM President Martin V Balzan, who took part in the discussions in representation of the CMTU, said that yesterday’s discussions had been “very productive. We are hopeful that they will be fruitful.”
Pressed as to whether the government had accepted the unions’ request for the postponement of the tariffs till 1 January 2008, Balzan was equally tight-lipped about the matter.
“There is a package and it would be best if it comes out together. At the end, the consumer will fare batter out of this. Now as to the how and when, we’ll see on Monday,” Balzan insisted.
Finally, asked whether the proverbial door had opened by now, MUT President John Bencini said: “The joint manifestation with all the unions was useful,” Bencini said.
Asked whether the Government had heeded the nine proposals that the unions had made on the utility tariffs, Bencini said: “You cannot expect that the Government has agreed with all the proposals. You negotiate, but on the whole when you evaluate everything, all the Unions should be satisfied of the joint effort and the fact that we were united.

czahra@mediatoday.com.mt

PRINT THIS ARTICLE