MCAST calls on union to end industrial action

The Malta College of Arts Science and Technology (MCAST) claimed in a judicial protest filed yesterday that industrial action taken by the Union Haddiema Maghqudin was illegitimate and aimed at negatively affecting preparations for exams.

In its protest filed in the First Hall of the Civil Court against the union, MCAST said that an industrial dispute had arisen over a new collective agreement being negotiated. The dispute was about the financial aspect of the agreement. MCAST said it had made its offer in good faith but the union had failed to justify its position on the matter and had ordered industrial action.

The industrial action was aimed at disrupting MCAST's role in the preparation of the exams that were imminent. Students' course work was also affected. As a result, MCAST's role as a provider of education in technical services was also being affected to the detriment of the country's development.

MCAST said the union's stand was unjustified, particularly when one considered that the employees benefited from good conditions of employment and were about to have their contracts of employment changed from a definite to an indefinite one. In conclusion, MCAST called upon the union to end the industrial action. Lawyer Andrew Borg Cardona acted for MCAST.