MCAST lecturers petition to government, MCAST, MUT for swift conclusion to negotiations
The uncertainty Malta College of the Arts, Science and Technology students are currently living in, including the repercussions on their mental health, has been highlighted in a petition MCAST lecturers have passed on to the government, college and u
The uncertainty Malta College of the Arts, Science and Technology students are currently living in, including the repercussions on their mental health, has been highlighted in a petition MCAST lecturers have passed on to the government, college and union as they pushed for a swift conclusion to negotiations on a new collective agreement.
The union ordered directives at the college last September but little progress has been registered in the ongoing dispute, with the government going as far as putting pressure on the union last week, saying that students should never become victims of industrial disputes. In reply, the MUT had said the government is responsible for the failure in negotiations and the delay in concluding the agreement, three years after it expired. Students have held protest activities at both the Paola and Mosta campuses run by the college.
The petition presented today draws attention to the "uncertainty and unresolved issues directly affecting our students". The lecturers also expressed their "disgust" at the award of an Administrative Pass to all students and stressed that they are "in limbo" with regards to the 2025 assessments with "fear that our reputation will be further tarnished if these are not held on time or not held at all." Ultimately, it said, "this situation has fallen into disgraceful nonchalance."
The petition, which was started on 12 November 2024, has been signed by 281 lecturers from the Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST) and further, officially presented by hand to the reception desk of the Prime Minister at Castille by the Head of Secretariat Joe Filletti of the Ministry of Education, MCAST management, and the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT). The petition calls for urgent action to resolve the expired collective agreement.
The petition highlights the lecturers' "deep frustration with the prolonged delay" in securing a new agreement that reflects their current working conditions and acknowledges their role in education. Whilst the lecturers grow "increasingly disillusioned", they continue to stand in solidarity with the MUT in pursuit of "fair and just working conditions." Additionally, they are lobbying for clearer communication between all the parties involved to reach a resolution that is "fair, transparent, and is aligned with the standards enjoyed by their counterparts in other educational institutions."
The lecturers' petition stresses the urgent need for a renewed collective agreement that updates their salaries, benefits, and working conditions to be "in line with today's educational landscape," furthermore, they call on the Government, MCAST, and the MUT to prioritise the resolution of these "long-overdue negotiations". It also recognizes that "only through mutual respect and cooperation can a fair and sustainable agreement be reached."
"Our goal is to ensure that lecturers receive the support and recognition they deserve to continue providing the highest quality education for our students. This situation has dragged on for far too long, and we are calling for all parties to come together to find a solution that is appropriate, fair, and timely," a spokesperson for the lecturers said. Meanwhile, they remain hopeful that the petition will serve as "a catalyst for positive change, urging swift and decisive action to secure a new agreement that acknowledges their dedication and commitment to the educational sector."
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