There is still no end in sight for the collective negotiations at MCAST, but Education Minister Clifton Grima said that he is "very confident" that consensus can be reached.
Entering 2025, the government and the Malta Union of Teachers are still negotiating a new collective agreement for employees at MCAST. The last collective agreement expired three years ago. The union had issued directives. These persistent delays in a new collective agreement resulted in a series of protests organised by MCAST students and lecturers over past months.
Education Minister Clifton Grima told The Malta Independent that it would be "presumptuous" to provide a date as to when the negotiations with the Malta Union of Teachers would conclude.
Minister Grima said, however, that he kept meeting with representatives from the MUT over the Christmas holidays. "I have kept continuous contact with the Malta Union of Teachers," Grima said. He continued that "this issue is negatively impacting many people" and said that "it is unacceptable."
The Minister for Education remarked that he is "very confident" that the two sides can reach a consensus. "In the discussions I've had with MUT on several points, I believe there are positive prospects on which we can proceed."
"Now, the next stage is to discuss other integral aspects of this agreement," Grima said.
The Education Minister appealed for all stakeholders involved to meet around the discussion table once again and finally conclude the negotiations surrounding this long-awaited collective agreement.
Grima said that all sides involved want to conclude these negotiations as soon as possible. He also observed that "time isn't on our side" and that because of this situation's long delays, it is crucial for all stakeholders to meet around the discussion table and conclude these negotiations once and for all.
Minister Grima said he remains committed for a new collective agreement for MCAST lecturers to be sustainable, provide rights to educators, and provide benefits to students so that the institution may continue to grow "as it has done in past years."
Grima said that thousands of people are linked to MCAST, and that this issue is affecting more than just the two parties involved.
He commented that these prolonged negotiations have affected more than just the students caught in the crossfire.
When asked about the directives still in force by the union, the education minister respected the lecturers' right to follow such directives, but stated that he is against actions that "negatively impact students' educational journey and life," especially as a father himself.
"My opinion is that whenever there is a directive that impacts students' lives, it shouldn't be in place," he said. "On the other hand, I recognise that everyone has the right and the tools to reach their own goals."