Union action delays ITS exam results

Institute for Tourism Studies (ITS) students have not yet received their exam results because of industrial action ordered by the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT).

Three final-year students who contacted The Times complained that students should not be used as pawns so that teachers get what they want.

"It is affecting us badly because unless we pass these exams, it is pointless for us to continue the course," they said.

The students said they received a notice informing them that the results were not being issued because of the industrial action but no further information was given them. They added that when they asked the school administration about the situation they were told that the papers had been corrected but unless the dispute was resolved, the results would not be sent to the students.

In its most recent circular to its members last week, the MUT explained that despite this action the authorities had not yet replied and consequently the MUT council wrote to the institute's executive chairman informing him that it would be stepping up its action by issuing new directives at short notice.

When contacted, MUT president John Bencini said a meeting between the union and ITS authorities was scheduled for Thursday.

The dispute concerns a request by the union for a revision of the collective agreement for ITS lecturing staff that expired in December 2003.