Spat between unions over child carers continues

The tug of war between the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and the Malta Union of Teachers over the representation of child carers continued today with the UHM requesting the revocation of an injunction, issued on the request of the MUT last month.

The teachers’ union had accused the UHM, together with the Ministry for Work and Education and the Foundation for Educational Services (FES), of exchanging personal information relating to newly employed child carers in order to recruit new members.

In its reply, the UHM contested the accusation, saying that carers employed by the FES are covered by the collective agreement negotiated by the UHM on behalf of all FES employees.

“Unless there is a decision by the competent Tribunal saying that child carers are an independent, separate bargaining unit, the MUT cannot allege that any of its rights were prejudiced,” reads the reply.

The UHM reiterated its original argument, saying that it represents the majority of FES workers and should therefore be included in negotiations. The reply says the MUT was incorrect in asserting, in the original protest, that the UHM had for a time, represented child carers working in childcare centres.

“The fact remains that the UHM still represents these workers, in spite of the many allegations to the contrary made by the MUT. No process of verification in terms of law or accepted practices has taken place and neither has the union made a request in this regard to the Industrial Tribunal.”