This has been a difficult few months for Mertz. His union has clashed with the OGBL and LCGB unions over the bank collective work agreement. Aleba agreed a provisional deal with employers group ABBL without agreement from other unions, stirring anger.
Then earlier this month, the union had its status of sectoral representativity withdrawn by the government, a move which appeared to follow a relatively poor showing by the union in the 2019 social elections.
Union president Roberto Mendolia expects a new secretary general to be appointed by mid-June.