MUT suspends directives at MCAST as two sides agree to continue negotiations
The Malta Union of Teachers has suspended its industrial action at MCAST after the two sides came to terms on the way forward towards a new collective agreement.Following weeks of industrial action, the two sides have agreed on the way forward "which
The Malta Union of Teachers has suspended its industrial action at MCAST after the two sides came to terms on the way forward towards a new collective agreement.
Following weeks of industrial action, the two sides have agreed on the way forward "which shall lead to a satisfactory conclusion of this agreement," the union said Friday.
Schedules of negotiations meetings have been set and communicated, the union said.
To this effect the MUT said it is suspending the directive on the inputting of students’ marks.
MUT thanked all delegates and members for the ongoing support.
The directives at MCAST were in place since 10 May after talks over a new collective agreement had failed.
The directives meant that staff were, amongst other measures, ordered not to divulge assessment marks to students and the college itself.
The MCAST collective agreement expired two and a half years ago, and the MUT had already issued similar directives back in January, but suspended them as talks seemed to progress. Progress however, was halted, leaving the MUT to issue renewed directives, which have now been lifted.
This is the second agreement that was reached by the government and MUT this week. With regard to the sectoral agreement, which had led to a one-day strike last November, a second draft of the agreement was concluded and this will now be presented to the union members for a vote next week.
In a statement, the education ministry noted with satisfaction the unblocking of the negotiations with the MUT regarding the MCAST collective agreement, and the news that the union suspended directives tied to the handing out of exam marks. Separately, the ministry also welcomed the unblocking of negotiations with the union tied to the Institute of Tourism Studies collective agreement, and the union's suspension of directives tied to the handing out of exam marks there also.
The news will come as a relief to students who will now received their much-awaited results.
MCAST students had previously told The Malta Independent that they were feeling trapped, stressed, and frustrated bnecause of the prevailing situation.
In a post on the social media, Prime Minister Robert Abela said he was pleased that the discussions held this week with MCAST and MUT had led to the desired result.
The PM said that the negotiations will continue but until then the students will receive what is rightfully theirs to continue planning their future.
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