December 5, 2024 at 7:01 pm
Press Release: MCAST – The failure of negotiations is the failure of the Education Ministry.
The MUT refers to the communication issued by the Education Ministry regarding the MUT’s position in relation to industrial actions. The Ministry failed to state that a number of proposals which were refused by the Government during the last meeting have been previously agreed upon in the presence of MUT Officials, delegates and the same Ministry. The inconsistency of these negotiations and the far too many different negotiators from the Ministry’s side led to this situation.
Negotiations had to start afresh each time an official was fired by the Ministry or a new one appointed. It is worth mentioning that the process saw the Education Ministry firing the MCAST Principal and CEO and firing also the MCAST President during negotiations. The lead negotiators of the Government were changed throughout the process and there were at least five different officials who led negotiations during the three-year period. By changing negotiators, failing to take decisions and changing positions, the Education Ministry delayed negotiations by almost three years. Their inconsistency resulted in the current situation.
The Education Ministry also failed to mention that MUT suspended the directives twice to enable negotiations to proceed. However contrary to the Ministry’s promises, these actions did not lead to the conclusion of the agreement. It is easy for the Education Ministry to use arguments about the impact on students. Nothing was ever mentioned by the same Ministry about the lecturing grades and all other grades impacted by their failures and who have been waiting for three years to have a renewed agreement.
The MUT reiterates that it is still open to negotiations towards a successful conclusion of the agreement, if this is also what is being sought by the Education Ministry.
