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Sep 05 - Unite Refutes Statement About GHA Fixed Term Contract Workers Issue

unite Unite the Union has insisted, in response to comments made by local lawyer Tony Christodoulides, that they are actively involved ‘ in the representation of all of its members’ interests where issues have arisen in relation to the termination or renewal of contracts for fixed term contract workers regardless of nationality or otherwise. ‘

The statement refers to the recent claims that a number of GHA staff have expressed discontent with their working conditions. Commenting on claims made by Mr. Christodoulides in the Gibraltar Chronicle, Unite insisted that they are surprised ‘that Mr Tony Christodoulides has chosen to make a public statement regarding a matter which involves the private employment rights of a handful of individuals’.

A Unite statement continues, ‘legal advice has been offered to all such members who have requested it on a one to one basis and collectively at a general meeting so as to ensure that our members’ rights are fully protected and that all members requiring such advice receive it in a timely and comprehensive manner.’ 

They note that no fixed term contract workers have lost their jobs, and many have in fact secured permanent positions. The Union believes that even those who are not members have benfitted from Unite’s ‘coherent and robust defence’.

Two of the GHA employees have sought separate representation by Mr. Christodoulides. The Union claims to be ‘completely taken aback by Mr Christodoulides’ overtly political approach to this basic employment situation of the kind which Unite manages on a day to day basis for all of its members in a far more appropriate manner.’

The Union continued, ‘we would add that this unmerited and wholly inappropriate attack on Unite, which, for the avoidance of doubt, is strongly refuted, is all the more surprising given that Mr Christodoulides recently invited Unite to fund his representation of the members in question.  We do however ask ourselves whether the misguided nature of his comments against Unite may have been influenced by the fact that his request for such funding was refused?

Having stated the above, Unite believes that the Government’s policy of deliberately interrupting the continued employment of fixed term workers’ so as to ensure that they do not acquire indefinite contracts of employment is both immoral and unjust.  Unite remains fully committed to defending the rights of all members whose employment status is affected by this policy.’