The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) has called on Education Minister Clifton Grima to directly engage in negotiations for a new collective agreement for MCAST lecturers.

MUT president Marco Bonnici made a direct plea during a protest outside the Education Ministry, urging the minister to take responsibility for MCAST and its staff. “Minister, you are responsible for MCAST. Your employees want to know that you care about them,” Bonnici said.

The last collective agreement expired three years ago, and recent negotiations broke down after the government’s industrial relations body deemed the union’s demands unacceptable.

The government also warned that talks would not resume until the union ended industrial action affecting students. As part of their action, MCAST lecturers have refused to disclose assessment marks, attend meetings, limit their work to teaching, and stopped research support.

Bonnici criticized the involvement of people unfamiliar with MCAST, particularly Joyce Cassar, the government’s industrial relations negotiator.

“People who have never set foot in MCAST should not dictate the terms of this agreement,” he said. He stressed that the union is willing to continue talks, but the minister’s involvement is key. “Minister, your employees want to see that you care, even if no one else does,” Bonnici added.

Before the speech, MCAST employees protested, honking horns and holding signs reading, “We have waited three years for an agreement.”

#MaltaDaily