Unions warn University to keep MAM out of collective agreement talks

The Malta Union of Teachers and the University of Malta Academic Staff Association (UMASA) have warned the University of Malta no other unions should be involved in negotiations over the Medical School’s academic staff collective agreement.

This morning, the two unions, wrote to the University of Malta Rector in relation to the press statement and correspondence issued yesterday by the Medical Association of Malta (MAM) claiming that it has “sole recognition” at the Medical School and that it should be party to negotiations on the Collective Agreement of academic staff.

They informed the Rector that negotiations on the collective agreement should only involve the unions representing the academic staff of the University of Malta, namely the MUT and UMASA. 

MUT and UMASA noted that recognition at the University had been set by the established procedure and confirmed by the Industrial Tribunal.

“Both Unions believe that MAM is well aware that membership majority at the Medical School of the University of Malta does not constitute recognition in the University and the same Association should inform itself of Industrial Law and recognition mechanisms before issuing such statements. MAM had ample time to discuss with the representative unions on any concerns or issues relating to the collective agreement.”

The statement added that this never materialized and “to add insult to injury,” MAM is issuing “empty threats that are arguably illegal.”

“Moreover MAM’s claims that the said agreement discriminates against its members at the medical school are baseless and unfounded, and even unexplained,” the two unions said.

In view of the circumstances, MUT and UMASA informed the University Rector that they are declaring that they will not tolerate any situation whereby negotiations are hijacked by MAM or any other association.

Both Unions said that if the University of Malta decides to include MAM in these negotiations they will reinstate the trade dispute and directives that were in force till the end of last week, unless both MUT and UMASA, are also included in the MAM – Government Sectorial Agreement, given that both unions have members working in the health sector too.