Nearly 30 years ago, the Main Union of Teachers, better known as the MUT, had a dispute with the Labour regime. 

The MUT is commonly known as the Malta Union of Teachers, but, believe it or not, no one was allowed to use the word Malta at that time. So the word Malta was changed to Main. Unbelievable, I know, but very, very true.

Anyway, the MUT was not the only union to have a dispute with the regime. All unions had not one, but several disputes. Not that the unions were trying to improve their workers’ conditions. Absolutely not. They were only trying to keep what was theirs by right. But that wouldn’t be tolerated by any dictator, and when the MUT ordered its teachers to stop distributing milk to pupils (it was not part of their duties), the regime handed circulars to teachers. 

This is what was written on them: 21 September 1984: Inti locked out bla ħlas sakemm fuq id-direttivi mogħtija mill-MUT, inti fi ħsiebek ma tkomplix tagħmel ix-xogħol tiegħek regolarment bħal qabel. (You are locked out until you continue to obey the MUT directive that stops you from carrying out your duties as previously).

It was signed Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici as Education Minister. Another circular gave teachers the possibility to state whether they will be obeying the directive or not.

■ GiovDeMartino,

26 Triq l-Għarusa tal-Mosta,

Mosta.