UMASA declares industrial dispute over unpaid arrears

The University of Malta Academic Staff Association has declared an industrial dispute after academics' November paycheques failed to include arrears owed under their collective agreement.

"We are declaring an industrial dispute and reserve the right to take industrial action should a firm commitment for that date not arrive in the next two weeks," UMASA said on Thursday in an email sent to its members.

The union said it had informed the rector of the dispute, citing the absence of a firm commitment to pay the arrears in full by 28 January 2027.

In October, the association warned it would take industrial action if the outstanding sums were not included in the next paycheque.

The arrears stem from a collective agreement signed in May and approved by 95% of union members.

The agreement, which runs until 2029, introduced a revised salary framework featuring significant pay increases across all academic grades between 2024 and 2029.

It also introduced changes to promotion rules, research recognition, and retirement extensions.

As the CA includes an initial pay rise of 12% to 13%, backdated to 2024, academics are now owed substantial arrears. Professors are estimated to be owed between €25,000 and €30,000, while lecturers and senior lecturers are owed between €17,000 and €20,000.

Assistant lecturers and teaching associates are estimated to be owed between €10,000 and €12,000.

However, the outstanding payments remain unresolved. In its October statement, the union said it had repeatedly pressed the minister, rector and University management over the delay.

UMASA told members it would keep them informed of further developments.