Of lecturers with the University of Malta (2)

Reference is made to the article Tribunal Decision Welcomed (January 30).

The article in question might have given the impression that it was referring to an MUT statement or press release. This is definitely not the case. The Malta Union of Teachers has never stated that it welcomed "the Industrial Tribunal's judgement making a distinction between the University of Malta academic staff and Junior College teachers". It was in fact Umasa's recent statement which highlighted the Tribunal's distinction between the two bodies. It was also Umasa who referred to the Junior Academic Staff as "teachers" and not as academic staff.

On the contrary, the MUT's statement to all its members and its press release dated January 24 appealed for unity among all academic staff working in the different sections of University, be it at Tal-Qroqq or at the Junior College. The MUT's press release, inter alia stated that "the Industrial Tribunal's decision strengthens the position that the MUT has taken with respect to academic staff working in the different sections of the University of Malta. The MUT has always been in the forefront in defending the interests of its members at the University even in the most difficult times when the very existence of the Union was threatened".

Finally, the MUT looks forward with anticipation to the collaboration with Umasa for the achievement of academic staff's interest as it has been doing for decades.