It is with disappointment that the University of Malta must report a breakdown in negotiations with the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) over the Junior College Collective Agreement.
Originally, the University of Malta (UM) was negotiating one collective agreement to be signed with UMASA and MUT to cover all academic grades at both the University and the Junior College as had been the practice for previous Collective Agreements. In fact, following a breakdown between the two unions, UM successfully negotiated and signed a new collective agreement with UMASA for academic members of staff working at the University in February this year.
Following the commencement of new ongoing negotiations with MUT over a separate Collective Agreement for academic members of staff at the Junior College, management presented improved conditions of work that include:
- An increase in the financial package for all Junior College academic employees throughout the proposed period of the Collective Agreement, i.e. from 2019 to 2023; and
- An accelerated career progression across the academic grades of the Junior College.
Despite these proposals which were being presented with a view to reaching an agreement, the MUT walked out from the meeting without discussion and due consideration to the proposals presented, which keep in mind the obligation the University has in retaining relativity across its grading structures.
The University of Malta remains committed and open to meet the MUT to continue the negotiations and finalise this agreement. This Collective Agreement can only be signed once the parties agree on all the clauses.
