MUT and University of Malta reach basis of agreement on Junior College

The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) has announced that it reached the basis of an agreement with the University of Malta on the collective agreement for lecturers at the Junior College. 

The directives are set to be lifted from 18 June.

Education Minister Byron Camilleri said the government "remains committed to continuing to improve the conditions of lecturers and teachers, with the ultimate aim of providing an even better educational experience for students."

The MUT ordered industrial action at the Junior College on 13 April, after declaring a trade dispute and failing to reach an agreement with the government. The directives became effective on 15 April. 

The dispute had been declared over a two-year delay in concluding the school's collective agreement. At the time, the union said the delay in negotiations and the failure to provide financial support, despite promising it for several months, were "unacceptable."

The directives had told all Junior College lecturers to refrain from submitting assessment marks and attendance records, from carrying out any duties related to committees, boards or departments, from taking part in departmental meetings, from sitting on boards including the Junior College board, and from joining committee meetings.

The MUT said it will now begin the process leading to a vote by members in the coming days. 

Education Minister Byron Camilleri said it welcomes the union's decision to suspend the directives following the discussions that led to the agreement in principle, and that the proposed agreement will now be put to a vote by union members. 

The MUT thanked Education Minister Byron Camilleri, Permanent Secretary Matthew Vella and Rector Alfred Vella for the outcome