In the forthcoming Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) elections, members have to decide which direction they want MUT to take. Should we continue to be on the defensive and simply react to what others decide, or should we be pro- active and influential participants in the decisions that need to be taken? Should we continue to use outdated methods that are getting us nowhere? We have to look forward and do things differently.

Any leader worthy of the name should have a vision for his organisation. Anyone who ridicules this very basic concept of leadership can never be a great leader – at best he simply heads! Both the present realities facing any trade union and the current reforms in education just cannot be ignored.

My past experience and my present activity of a practising professional in education has crystallised my vision for MUT. My vision consists of the following eight elements:

1. MUT has remained too traditional in the way it conducts its daily activity. We have a completely different reality from that of past decades, especially since the setting up of the colleges’ system and the present state of industrial relations. This reform in education will eventually completely transform our educational landscape. This will present new challenges for the MUT. We should be participants in this exciting development and pro active in our approach rather than being reactive to decisions taken by others. I believe it is absolutely necessary for MUT to commission professional research to strengthen its arguments. We should utilise our membership of the European Trade Union Committee on Education to facilitate our vision for the present and the future.

2. In this new reality it becomes imperative that our school delegates are professionally trained to meet these new challenges at school and college level. The time for learning only by experience has long passed. I am proposing regular training sessions for school delegates during school hours. It will involve a substantial investment by MUT, which can be partly financed by tapping EU funds. An effective school delegate is an asset for any school and therefore also to our employers, not to mention the MUT itself.

3. The MUT National Council needs reforming in order to be more truly representative of the different teaching grades. A commission needs to be appointed as soon as possible to study the necessary reforms, which may include a particular sector voting exclusively for its sector besides the president.

4. I strongly believe that we should revert to the situation prevalent until a few months ago, in the sense that the MUT president can serve a maximum number of terms. This model has proved very beneficial to European teachers trade unions. Any president should resist the temptation of not wanting to return to school duties. The time spent as president will sure serve this person well for the progression of his/her career. It is therefore very important in this scenario that the post of general secretary should be strengthened. The general secretary should play the very important role of chief executive officer of the union in charge of executing the decisions of the National Council under the direction of the president.

5. Members very often complain of poor communication with MUT. It is imperative in this day of Information Technology for MUT to use much more IT in communicating with members and provide online services not merely to effect membership payment but keeping a direct line with members so that assistance will be more immediate.

6. MUT must jealously continue with its innate mission of safeguarding its members’ rights and promoting their interests. This should be done more by skilful and more effective negotiation than by confrontation. Modern trade unionism demands skilful negotiators. However, MUT should never renounce its right to industrial action, both at school and national level, as a last resort.

7. A more democratic approach when taking decisions is needed. Members should feel they are participants in decision taking. The voice of the members must be translated in the decisions taken. Members should not feel decisions are taken behind closed doors and imposed on members. MUT Statute needs to be amended so that any future agreements are democratically sanctioned by a general conference.

8. The last Government-MUT agreement needs reviewing as soon as possible and within an agreed timeframe. Most teaching grades feel it is inadequate especially in the light of the ongoing reforms brought about by the present reform and anomalies caused by the agreements signed with the medical related unions. If this reform is to really work, a better deal for all teaching grades is a sine qua non. It is also important to start negotiations as soon as possible leading to a better deal for Church and independent schools teaching grades to bring them at least on a par with those enjoyed by State employees. We should also keep in mind that we need revised agreements for Kindergarten Assistants and Learning Support Assistants (Facilitators) who are facing genuine hardships. Successful conclusion to the MCAST and ITS agreements has to be given all due priority.

I have encountered numerous and often seemingly insurmountable difficulties in delivering this vision to members. However, I am not one who is easily discouraged even though it soon became apparent that this election was not going to be held on a level playing field. Nonetheless, since I for one, believe in a level playing field, I forked out money to set up a website www.amicallefdebono. com and produced a flyer to be sent to all schools. I am greatly encouraged by colleagues, especially members of my own school staff, to pursue this path.

I have worked unceasingly and energetically in the various structures of MUT since 1972 and my greatest desire is to see an MUT enjoying the highest dignity, a model for Maltese trade unions. If elected I pledge to work with all my ability and strength to make this a reality. After all, I am undertaking this task not for my own sake but for those who succeed me, as I shall be retiring in four years’ time. I am very happy in my present position as Head of a Boys Secondary School and genuinely love the work my staff and I perform for the education of our students. I wish to state categorically that I do not intend to contest the MUT presidency once I am a pensioner. It is my firm conviction that a trade union should never be led by a retired person, whatever the reasons and however well intentioned s/he is.

I believe I have the necessary qualities and experience gained through the roles I played as MUT School Delegate, Council member, MUT official and as General Secretary of the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions (CMTU) to make this vision a reality.

If MUT members share my vision I am prepared to have the honour and privilege to serve as president. In this way MUT will continue to be more relevant and effective not only in the present but also in the decades to come.

Bio data

Anthony Micallef Debono is 56 years old, married with four adult children. He is currently Head of Guze Galea Boys Secondary School, Qormi that forms part of St Ignatius College. He has been a very active MUT member since 1972. He taught at various State secondary schools for 30 years (including one year teaching English to the personnel of a major oil company in the Libyan desert) before being promoted Assistant Head of School and recently Head of School.

He also spent some time running the Youth Correctional Facility. He was MUT school delegate for 15 years and MUT council member for three terms. He has occupied various posts, including MUT International Secretary, Assistant General Secretary and CMTU General Secretary for two years. He has represented MUT and CMTU at numerous local and international conferences.

He was Maltese workers’ representative on various local and European organisations including the Malta Council for Economic and Social Dialogue, European Union Social Dialogue Committee, European Trade Union Confederation Executive Committee, ETUC Social Protection Committee, Secretary of the joint Maltese Trade Unions negotiating team during the Social Pact discussions and CMTU Reform Commission. He was also part of the ETUC Negotiating Team when the European Framework Agreement on Violence at the Place of Work was set up.

He is a strong believer in modern trade unionism and the necessity of promoting social dialogue in education.