Union lifts directives at Mcast

Directives issued to lecturers at the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology were lifted yesterday evening following a meeting between the Malta Union of Teachers, the college administration and the Director of Employment and Industrial Relations.

The union said it was lifting the directives as a "sign of goodwill and in consideration of students' concerns".

However, further discussions were required, the union said.

Yesterday, lecturers had started their second week of action in a dispute over the new collective agreement covering January 2007 to December 2010. Although still delivering lectures, they had not been carrying out any other duties.

Students had, however, voiced serious concerns about the effect that prolonged action would have on assessments, end-of-year exams and certification.