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Gerald Fenech
Disgruntled and hurt at being singled out as scapegoats for the problems that are facing their company, the ‘D’ Shift workers at ST Microelectronics contacted Business Today to air what they feel are misquoted comments in a story published in this newspaper a couple of weeks ago.
During an on site visit at the company’s main headquarters in Kirkop, Malta Today met ST Malta’s new GM, Sonny Wee who was effusive about the company’s prospects and the picture painted was that productivity was improving considerably although some issues, such as the D-Shift still needed to be sorted out.
Speaking to this newspaper, Mark Pace an employee who works in the D Shift said that nobody even knew that a new GM was coming as the previous occupant of the post left abruptly without so much as a thank you note. He had positive comments regarding Wee’s involvement with shop floor employees although this apparently is not all that often during weekends, when D Shift employees report for work.
“It is true that during the week, Mr Wee and management are spending a lot of time on the shop floor but we have barely met him once during weekends when we work. However, last Saturday, he came and spoke to us although the atmosphere was not too good – one can imagine that some employees are not so happy at the prospect of losing their job”.
Pace maintains that his shift was the only one which suffered due to the restructuring exercise that took place some years ago.
“You have to remember that three years ago, Lm 50 per week was reduced from our salary with new working arrangements. In those days, all we heard were cost problems in relation to China where costs in Malta were being deemed as too high. Still no other employee saw any reduction in their pay packets and just a few months after we took a salary cut, all the management changed their cars to brand new vehicles. All of a sudden, it is productivity that is an issue and again the D Shift has been singled out for criticism especially on Saturday mornings”.
Another issue which Pace maintains is the shift’s way of life where families, especially women have built their lives over a number of years according to the D Shift hours.
“We are not saying that we do not want to change but some consideration should be given to the fact that several employees have been working with the company for over ten years. Some women would have to leave their job if they were asked to work during the week as they have their family to take care of”.
Pace contends that some D Shift workers have part time jobs but most were forced to take these up when their salary was drastically reduced.
“We all have a family to feed and when you find yourself with Lm 200 less than you used to earn every month then you are forced to seek alternative part time employment. Now they are telling us that we have to work on a day, night, rest, off basis with the same salary and that is simply not on. We are opposing this proposal, quietly but firmly”.
A copy of the collective agreement signed between ST management and the General Workers Union is also in possession of Malta Today and it is clearly delineated in black on hite that D Shift employees are to work a total of 24 hours per week from 6pm to 6am on Saturdays and the same hours on Sundays. The agreement also specifies rates of pay on a pro rata basis to normal full time 40 hour employees, allowances for Sundays (133 per cent of basic pay) and related pro rata sickness and leave benefits.
A letter which was sent to all D Shift employees on 14th November 2006 and which is also in possession of this newspaper clearly stipulates that these are considered as full time workers despite their reduced hours.
Malta Today is also informed that Sonny Wee called in all senior management at ST for an urgent meeting last Sunday 10th June. Amongst the issues discussed was the D Shift problem which shows no sign of going away. |
