Govt ‘losing grip’ on industrial relations, Together Gibraltar says

The Gibraltar Government and Chief Minister Fabian Picardo “are losing their grip on industrial relations”, Together Gibraltar said in a statement yesterday.

The part was reacting to recent controversy after Unite the Union, responding to a call from members, decided not to invite politicians to the stage at the May Day rally next week.

“This should have been music to the ears of a socialist government,” Together Gibraltar said.

“It should have celebrated the emancipation and independence of true unionism, a victory for the worker.”

“But instead, the Chief Minister, feeling threatened by what amounts to the loss of a photo opportunity, has thrown a fit of pique, and declared, ‘Casemates belongs to me’.”

The party accused the Chief Minister of paying “lip service” to socialist ideals and the struggle for workers’ rights.

As a result of the row, the unions will host an alternative rally in John Mackintosh Square, away from Casemates.

“The unions, the true custodians of Mayday, have been forced away from Casemates, having to find an alternative venue to celebrate their independence,” Together Gibraltar said.

“This latest episode, together with the January 16th march where around 1,500 people took to the streets to protest the government's treatment of agency workers, demonstrates very clearly that, no matter how many public holidays they hand out, Fabian Picardo and his 'socialist' Government are losing their grip on industrial relations.”