Malta's powerful General Workers' Union was scheduled to meet on Monday, January 15, 2001, on whether a contract between Malta Drydocks and the U.S. Navy violates a constitutional ban on allowing superpowers' ships access to Maltese shipyards. Union president James Pearsall refused to be drawn into the controversy over the contract when questioned by the Maltese media, and said Monday's meeting may not necessarily end with the union taking a stand. The Navy announced the $6 million contract for Malta Drydocks to work on the U.S. Sixth Fleet's flagship La Salle late on Friday. The ship is due in Malta in April. The left-leaning GWU has strong support among Malta Drydocks workers.
