MUT leadership contender complains of 'obstacles'

A candidate in the election for president of the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) complained this morning that too many obstacles were being put in his way.

Anthony Micallef Debono, who is contesting the post with incumbent John Bencini, complained over a union decision not to circulate his leaflets in the schools and its refusal to let him hold a press conference at its premises.

However, the MUT in a reaction said the premises have always been used solely for official MUT press conferences and strictly on union business.

“No contestant for the MUT presidency and/or council requesting to use the premises in connection with elections will be allowed to organise any such activity within the MUT,” the union said its reply to Mr Micallef Debono’s request.

In the press conference he gave this morning, Mr Micallef Debono said that if elected, his first priority would be a review of the latest agreement finalised between the MUT and the government, because he felt teacher’s concerns were not properly addressed.

“The so-called ‘historic’ agreement is a running joke between teachers. The government had signalled it was prepared to enter into discussions with the union to include an addendum, but the union was not pushing enough on this,” he said.