Teachers' union could leave CMTU

The Malta Union of Teachers is threatening to walk out of the Confederation of Maltese Trade Unions if nothing changes at the helm, president John Bencini said yesterday.

The warning follows his union's declaration that it had no confidence in the CMTU leadership, particularly that of the president, William Portelli.

When asked about this outburst yesterday, he said there were two possible options, which included the MUT leaving the CMTU. He did not spell out the second one, although it is understood to be a reference to Mr Portelli's resignation.

"The ball is now in Mr Portelli's court. He has to decide what he is going to do. He told you that other affiliates had confidence in his leadership but now he has to decide what he is going to do.

Is he going to stay or go? We have a serious problem with the way it is being run. Our position within CMTU may be untenable but this all depends on Mr Portelli's decision," he said.

The teachers' union is the second largest union within the CMTU and its departure would mean a blow to the confederation.

CMTU vice president Martin Balzan (in the absence of Mr Portelli who is abroad) issued a statement last night appealing to the MUT officials "to act within the parameters of the statute of the confederation and express their views in a courteous and diplomatic manner".

The CMTU affiliates expressed their disapproval of public statements made by Mr Bencini.

Dr Balzan explained that the CMTU's position on the utility tariffs was taken following a meeting of all affiliates prior to the start of the discussions.

He said the CMTU and the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin had prepared detailed calculations of the proposals and when these were accepted by the government there was no reason to ask for further clarification because the homework had been done.

When the MUT asked for further clarifications, it gave the impression that it had not understood exactly what it proposed.

Concluding, Dr Balzan said: "The days when one resorted to scathing personal attacks are long over and done with".

All seemed to be rosy between trade unions when they walked arm in arm down Republic Street, Valletta protesting against the government proposed utility tariffs. But the unity was short-lived.

A few days after the historic protest, the MUT suggested the setting up of a Trades Union Council (TUC) but, rather than unite the workers, movement, the idea escalated in a rift with the CMTU.

The first row, in fact, erupted over a word the CMTU president used when he referred to the MUT's call for a TUC as "untimely". Mr Bencini asked Mr Portelli to withdraw the word but he refused. Less than a week later, the MUT went one step further by declaring that it had no confidence in the CMTU leadership and the way it was being run.

The latest divisive issue is over the new water and electricity rates. The MUT is miffed that the CMTU declared publicly it agreed with the government's latest set of proposals without consulting it first, as one of its affiliates.

Mr Bencini said the MUT will hold an urgent meeting for state, Church and independent school delegates and school committees to discuss the union's position within the CMTU.

It will also use the meeting to inform its members about the latest proposals on the water and electricity tariffs. The meeting will be held on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Teachers' Institute in Republic Street, Valletta.