The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) and the Union of Professional Educators (UPE) have both been blasted in a judicial protest filed by a parent aggrieved by the two unions’ pressure to keep schools closed.
The opening of state and church schools was postponed by a week from Wednesday in a last-minute decision over the weekend, although some private schools did open their doors for students on Monday.
The protest was filed by lawyer Andre Borg, himself a parent, who says that the directives and pressure by the MUT and UPE – who he says are consumed in a near militant rivalry between each other for members – has had a detrimental effect on students and parents alike.
“The objective of this act is primarily to protest against directives and pressure made by MUT and UPE over the past weeks, leading to a delay in opening of schools. Theirs was a collateral action affecting schools which have long been ready to welcome students, to the detriment of parents, students and educators - most of whom are questioning MUT and UPE's real intentions”, Borg said.
“Furthermore, it is high time that one voices concern on industrial actions by trade unions which affect the daily lives of the general public.”
He said that whereas he is all for action where really necessary, and it is understood that trade unions remain vigilant to represent their members, on the other hand, they have no right to use the national platform for their own gain especially when competing unions seek attention.
“The rivalry between MUT and UPE is a given, and they are showing their militancy in order to poach members, the end result being great disturbance to students, especially the young ones, disruptions at the place of work, and unnecessary stress on all educators who are receiving all sort of unjustified threats due to their unions' actions”, Borg said.
In the protest, Borg said that the unions’ actions gave the wrong impression that teachers did not want to return to their classrooms to teach children.
The protest reads that the unions had not even taken a clear stance on online teaching for those students who are unable to physically attend school, and notes that he, like thousands of other parents, felt aggrieved because their children were enthusiastic about returning to class.
The protest reads that the delay in the opening of schools after pressure by the MUT and UPE has resulted in thousands of parents, including him, having to change their plans and commitments resulting in monetary losses.
Borg called on the unions to desist from their behaviour, saying that it is detrimental to their own members and the educational system, and held them responsible for any damages suffered.
Borg is the sole signatory of the protest, however he says that he is backed by many other parents and teachers who were irked by the news of the continued closure of schools.
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