The MUT said it was registering the dispute since the board of governors refused to commence discussions and negotiations for a new collective agreement for directors and deputy directors at MCAST.

The council also pointed out that it can order industrial action at any time with immediate effect following the registration of the dispute.

MCAST successfully concluded a collective agreement with the MUT for all its lecturing grades, last April. Subsequently MCAST was approached by the MUT who requested the opening of negotiations for a collective agreement on behalf of MCAST directors and deputy directors within the various institutes.

A director and one or more deputy directors, currently on a definite term contract, are in charge of and are responsible for each of the nine MCAST institutes.

While recognising the right of these members of management to union representation on an individual basis, even during contract negotiations, the MCAST board of governors maintains that contracts for these key top management positions should not be negotiated collectively.