Following the court prohibitory warrant to stop industrial actions and subsequent hearing, which effectively muzzled educators at MCAST, the management at this college are now trying to implement new dubious practices knowing that no action can be taken until the court of justice issues its sentence, the Malta Union of Teachers said in a statement today.

The college denied that any new practices have been introduced.

In its statement, the union said MCAST educators are now falling victim to tactics which in any other situation the Union would immediately take steps to remedy and protect its members from. This is an insult to everyone who has the best interest of educators, and those who form part of any trade union, at heart.

The union said it is awaiting judgement, since MCAST decided to involve the courts, and therefore affirms that MCAST is solely responsible for the delay in negotiations and in reaching an agreement to the satisfaction of all.

Meanwhile, while MCAST educators are being prevented from exerting the right to take industrial action, other unions have ongoing industrial actions which impact essential services while the Government declared, as reported in the media, that it is still negotiating with the same Unions.

The MUT said it its complete support to MAM and other Unions taking such action, but it asks why educators at MCAST have been prevented from doing the same. This is a clear case of two weights and two measures.

MCAST ready to meet MUT and DIER for conciliation meeting 

MCAST refers to a statement issued by MUT today. MCAST wishes to clarify that no new practices have been introduced during the period being referenced.

In light of statements earlier today, MCAST finds no objection to continue discussions and find common ground, as is happening in other cases.  

In fact, MCAST has written to the Department of Industrial Relations (DIER) a number of times to request a conciliation meeting so that talks can resume and DIER has communicated its willingness to set up such a meeting.  We owe it to our students to find a way forward to this.  

The end goal of MCAST is to improve the working conditions of its lecturing staff and to continue raise standards in this sector, so that Maltese and Gozitan students can continue their educational journey and succeed in their aspirations.