Updated | Teachers' union declares industrial dispute with MCAST

Industrial action directives will be issued tomorrow by The Malta Union of Teachers, after having declared an industrial dispute with MCAST.

In a statement today, the MUT said that MCAST failed to adherence to agreed deadlines in which the college had to provide counter proposals for the financials of the Collective Agreement being negotiated.

The Union said it submitted its financial proposals to MCAST several weeks ago and observed all time-frames of the agreement, including attendance to a meeting earlier today scheduled in agreement between both sides for the explicit purpose of receiving these financials.

In correspondence with the MCAST management, the MUT noted that it is clear that whilst the union is taking agreements seriously, with all the necessary commitment towards its members, "MCAST is instead dragging its feet and finding excuses to refrain from adhering to commitments to the detriment of educators and ultimately students."

The Union warned that it would be issuing industrial actions to members tomorrow.

MCAST disappointed at MUT industrial action

In a statement issued by MCAST in response to the dispute, the college said it was disappointed that the MUT had chosen to resort to industrial action when discussions were at a delicate stage. It noted that, as a result of the talks, “lecturers’ working conditions had already improved. 

MCAST said it was strongly committed to reaching a new collective agreement with the MUT, that gave “academic staff a fair, just and improved package, while simultaneously agreeing on a new financial package”.

“Discussions are currently underway with the Ministry for Education and Employment and the Ministry of Finance to present a proposal for such a financial package as part of the overall discussions,” said MCAST in statement.

It added that the college felt that agreement on such a financial package needed to be achieved “within the context of an agreement on the complete collective agreement package”, while noting that it was normal industrial relations practice in collective agreement discussions.

Finally, MCAST said it was committed to continue discussions and to present a financial proposal at the earliest, in order to achieve an improved and just package for all lecturers and LSAs at MCAST.

“MCAST invites MUT to return to the discussions and continue the positive dialogue which has already started achieving improved working conditions for MCAST staff,” concluded the statement.