Teachers' union accused of 'mistrust', 'betrayal' by three ex-council members

A feeling of “betrayal” and “mistrust” over the manner in which the teachers’ union handled negotiations on the new collective agreement was the main reason behind the resignation of three of its council members. Rita Catania, George Debono and David Rossi stepped down last Sunday following weeks of internal squabbles in the administration of the Malta Union of Teachers. They claim more often than not decisions were taken behind their backs and their concerns were not taken seriously. This discontent has also spread to a section of the grass roots, as a significant number teachers have left the MUT, while others are seriously mulling whether they should follow suit. They are now involved in the registration of a new union within the UĦM, it was announced this morning. Signed last month, the new collective agreement was hailed by both the Education Ministry and the MUT as a historic breakthrough which would bring a quality leap in teachers’ conditions of work. However, the MUT’s announcement that educators would be getting a 28 per cent rise over a five-year period started being questioned by a number of members, who claimed that such benefits would only apply to those in higher...