Updated | Educators in all schools to strike on Monday

The Malta Union of Teachers wants the changes to the Education Act currently before Parliament to be withdrawn and declares an industrial dispute • Ministry says it is willing to meet, discuss and change the Bill where necessary

The MUT has ordered a one-day strike over planned changes to the Education Act
The MUT has ordered a one-day strike over planned changes to the Education Act

Updated at 11pm with UPE, Education Ministry and parents' association statements

Educators will go on strike on Monday 8 October after the Malta Union of Teachers declared an industrial dispute over proposed changes to the Education Act.

In an emergency meeting held on Wednesday evening, the MUT council decided to call a one-day strike over what it describes as government’s “assault” on the education profession.

The MUT said it expected the government to withdraw the three Bills currently before Parliament that will amend the Education Act.

On Tuesday, the union said it was opposed to proposed changes that would remove the permanent warrant given to teachers and replace it with one that is extended every year.

In a reply today, the Education Ministry denied the union’s claims, insisting that no warrants would be revoked.

However, this evening, the MUT said it was astonished by government’s denial.

It declared an industrial dispute and ordered all educators in State, Church and independent schools, including post-secondary and tertiary institutions, not to report to work next Monday. The directive, it said, applied to all educators, irrespective of whether they were members or not.

The union said it would follow up the strike with further industrial action.

The MUT also declared World Teachers’ Day next Friday as “a day of mourning of the profession” and asked members to wear something black during the day.

Union solidarity

Meanwhile, the Union of Professional Educators said it supported the MUT's action and urged its members to go on strike as well.

The UPE said it would oppose the changes proposed by the ministry and urged the MUT not to buckle under pressure and withdraw strike action as it had done in 2017 during negotiations on the sectoral agreement for educators.

Education Ministry open for talks

Reacting to the strike action, the Education Ministry said it was willing to meet the MUT as early as Thursday to resolve the impasse. The ministry said it had requested a meeting on Wednesday but MUT officials insisted they first had to convene the union's council.

"The ministry has every intention to meet, discuss, explain and change things wherever is necessary... the ministry has the good will to reach an agreement," the statement read.

It added that "students, parents and educators were suffering the consequences of the rivalry between the MUT and UPE on which of the two is more aggressive," the statement ended.

In a Facebook post uploaded on Thursday morning, Education minister Evarist Bartolo expressed his disappointment at the union’s threat.

“One breaks down a door when they find it closed and locked. But if the door is wide open, why act as though it were locked?” the minister wrote, adding again that the ministry was open to discussing the law further.

Bartolo urged the union to reconsider its position and not to allow the situation to “escalate needlessly”.  

Parents association concerned

The Malta Association of Parents for Students in State Schools (MAPSSS) expressed concern over the situation and called on the ministry and the MUT to reach an agreement.

"While it respects the right of educators to strike, like all other workers, MAPSSS believes that such action should only be used as a measure of last resort to avoid unnecessary suffering for students," the association said.