Apr 30 - May Day Message From Unite Acting Regional Officer

Written by YGTV Team on 30 April 2014.

The following is the May Day message from Christian Duo, Unite the Union’s Acting Regional Officer:

Once again we are delighted to be able to celebrate Workers Day on May 1^st, after having successfully campaigned for the restoration of this important event. This is a significant date in the Trade Union calendar as we commemorate the historic struggle of working people throughout the world.

There have been many issues that our union has had to confront in the fight to maintain and progress on workers’ rights. Issues that today many take for granted.

These rights achieved by our fathers and grandfathers are being challenged and in many instances are gradually being eroded away.

The role of the trade union movement in Gibraltar has been fundamental in securing better terms and conditions for working people. The standard of living enjoyed by many workers, have not come without cost and has been achieved through constant struggles and fights with employers and governments. Let no one be under the illusion that these gains are now not under attack - more so in the present economic crisis in the developed world. The economic recession could also knock at our door. Recently we have seen signs of great concern in particular in the Banking Sector with announced closures of Barclays and Norwich & Peterborough with the resultant loss of jobs.

Economic Forum

Unite has been pursuing the setting up of an Economic Forum with the inclusion of key stake holders. The Unions do speak for an important sector of our society, that of the working population, and it is only right and fair that our voice is part of important discussions that affect working people. In a world of precarious work, two tier societies, increasing outsourcing, a global economic crisis and the background of the illegal and immoral frontier restrictions we believe that only through strong industrial policies and a planned economy via a Government, Industry and Unite economic forum will we find a way forward in protecting workers and their rights.

Statutory Pension Scheme

Unite has been campaigning for over a year on the introduction of a statutory Pension Scheme in the Private Sector. Unite has already made representations to Government, in respect of implementing statutory Occupational Pensions in the Private sector. We need to highlight that Gibraltar employers, should start a process similar to that in UK, in respect of gradual enforcement of statutory Occupational Pension Scheme. The livelihoods of many of our elderly citizens depend on the implementation of this Law.  On this 1st May Unite will be handing over to the Gibraltar Government a petition signed by over 5000 members of our community to this effect.

Trade Union Recognition

One of the most fundamental issues for this Union and indeed for all Unions is the question of recognition by employers. Today, the law only acknowledges the right of a worker to belong to a Trade Union, but is silent on the recognition by employers of Trade Unions.  Unite has been working closely with the Legislation Unit to introduce the necessary legislation, thereby ensuring that workers’ rights are democratically upheld. We urge that the necessary momentum be given to this issue to finalise this important piece of legislation and therefore allow Trade Unions to be able to represent its members in some workplaces where we have reluctant employers.

Health & Safety

One of Unite’s key objectives is to improve Health and Safety and to this end we have been taking measures to introduce employee Safety representatives into the workplace. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, 1996 allows for the introduction of such representatives and Unite has been actively seeking its enforcement. Several companies within the private sector however have already introduced these representatives and we hope this will continue to grow in other workplaces within our community.

Unite has also lobbied Cabinet on this issue and both parties have recognised a need for a strong joint approach on Health and Safety. A joint Health and Safety working group has therefore been set up for this reason and will work towards improving Health and Safety and the introduction of employee Safety representatives into the workplace. The working group has already met on several occasions and good progress has been made. Unite is confident that further development will be made on this issue, which will benefit our community as a whole.

Labour Inspectorate

Unite has made representation to Government about the lack of policing throughout the labour market. We have seen growing signs of illegal labour with a number of employers taking advantage of the system and not paying the relevant taxes or insurance to the community. A strong commitment on enforcement is needed.

We therefore call on Government to adequately resource the Labour Inspectorate Department with reasonable manning levels and appropriate training of Labour Inspectors so as to police all industry groups in compliance with all statutory obligations. This course of action will ensure that apart from providing a level playing field for all employers it will in addition result in bringing into Government coffers important revenue.

MoD

Our members in the Ministry of Defence have been for a number of years suffering the consequences of a continued pay freezes and pay restraints. This is having a detrimental effect on ordinary working class people who have not seen a pay rise in comparison to the increases in the cost of living during the corresponding years. Unite is fully committed to pursuing a Cost of Living Allowance as that already recognised for UK Base Civilians stationed in Gibraltar and more so following the strong mandate as a result of our recent ballot. We hope the MOD Management will engage us in positive negotiation in order to deal with our members’ continuing fall in living standards.

Unite the Union has throughout its history being at the vanguard of social and moral issues that concerns not just our members, but indeed the rest of society. In this aspect, we are pleased that the rights of the Moroccan workers collective in Gibraltar have improved over the last couple of years. However, there are still examples of Moroccan workers who having worked and lived in Gibraltar for the last 40 years are not entitled to Social Assistance once the Unemployment Benefit ceases after the first three months. After a life commitment to Gibraltar’s wellbeing we as a Union cannot accept that this group of citizens are treated differently when it comes to their employment and legal rights. During the past 12 months Unite has been a key player in the consolidation of rights in respect to equality rights, we have seen the introduction of anti Bullying and Harassment legislation and the Civil Partnership Bill.

As a Union we cannot keep quiet either about the right-wing PP Government tactics to undermine our economy at every possible opportunity but most significantly at the frontier. We believe it is inhuman and very anti-European to perform and get away with the physical strangulation of the free movement of workers, tourists and ordinary individuals through the land frontier. It is a scandal that in this day and age, arbitrary and illegal action can make the welfare of so many innocent people so difficult with social, employment and economic repercussions affecting so many ordinary citizens because of a cruel and obsessive Government. We therefore call upon the British Government to discharge their Constitutional obligations in a firm and clear manner so that the Spanish Government will take notice and abide by a proper European standard of good neighbourliness.  Unite the Union has used and will continue to use its connections in the British Labour Movement to highlight this issue. We are proud to say that today more than ever Gibraltar needs an International Union, and to this effect we must say that Unite is the only workers’ organisation that can offer this option to its citizens.

Lastly, as a Trade Unionist I would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to all the workers both in Gibraltar and throughout the world who in the past have given so much of their time and effort for the noble cause of helping improve the condition and living standard that today we take it for granted. Also, that in a day like today, there are many workers and trade unionists who are being killed or tortured for trying to improve the conditions of their fellow companions. This is happening in Latin America, in Africa particularly in Qatar today and in Asia. We need to send a message to our colleagues everywhere that by uniting together as working people we will never be defeated.