State childcare centres to open late due to union’s directives

State childcare centres will remain closed until 10am, with effect from Monday, following industrial action by the Union Haddiema Maghqudin.

In a statement, the Foundation for Educational Services said that, on February 27, the courts issued a warrant of prohibitory injunction that barred both the government and the UHM from negotiating child-carers’ contractual conditions.

“Despite the court's decision, the UHM still expected the foundation to send a number of proposals, including those of child-carers, a request which goes directly against the decision of the court,” the FES said. “Our reply was that we were ready to discuss proposals as long as these didn't include child-carers, in order to respect the court's decision.

“This means that this industrial action has taken place simply because the government is respecting a court's decision.”

The FES argued that agreements should be found around the negotiating table and not through industrial action.

“As emphasized to the union over the past days, our door will remain open for genuine discussions to take place whenever it wishes to do so,” the FES said.

The state childcare centres affected by the industrial action are:

Il-Bejta Smart Kids, Bormla

It-Tbissima Smart Kids, Qormi

B’Kara Smart Kids

Il-Pespus Smart Kids, Marsa

Birgu Smart Kids

Pizzi Pizzi Kanna Smart Kids, Naxxar

Qawra Smart Kids

Is-Sardinella Smart Kids, San Ġwann

Id-Denfil Smart Kids, Siġġiewi

Il-Qawsalla Smart Kids Gżira

Il-Bebbuxu Smart Kids, Santa Venera

Il-Merill Childcare Centre, Pembroke

It-Tgħanniqa Smart Kids, Floriana