MUT to issue directives to supply categories on Friday

Excuse me about there is just a bunch ... the so-called parents brigade who don't know about what they are talking about, or else, they just want to have a go at teachers in general.

First of all, LSA and kindersgarten assistent and the lecturers are 2 separate cases altogether. Secondly, teachers aren't involved in these disputes!!!! Thus, please do understand about what you're discussing.

Apart, R.J.Costigan teachers are no beati!!! They are workers just as anybody else. They have a job/a profession like any other work with its advantages and disadvantage.... but since they are workers, they are entitled for good/adequate working conditions!!! Or, perhaps, you would be happy to work inadequate working conditions.

Such as all workers, they are entitled to take industrial actions. Or, aren't we living in a democracy? Seriously, here I noticed just hatred on an issue which is quite clear .... Supply staff after 5 years working, should not remain supply any longer!!!!!! Blind pro-gonzipn brigade didn't you voted yes to the EU???? So, ask your government to abide by those rules, or else critise gonzipn when not abiding, not a union which has a duty to protect its worker

Jeff inguanez said it all when he wrote
"What we need is kindergarten and primary school hours till at least 5pm.
That would be the best thing for working parents. "
That's really showing your true colours when you want teachers to act as baby sitters. Teachers ARE NOT BABY SITTERS. if you want to go out to work first plan how you are going to take care of your offspring. When teachers say that they work when they're on holidays the answer is you knew what you were getting into. the same goes for working mothers so don't dump your children on us. We are ready to educate them but not to adopt them.Why don't you spend some quality time with them?

Don't cry dear 'Saints' teachers about the your work.

What about the construction workers, welders, drivers and so
on and so forth. About the holidays teachers have the following:-

No. of days during the 1st of November,
then the Christmas period,
again during the Easter,
besides weekends, Public Holidays, school meetings etc. etc.
How many working days compared to other workers.

ATT TO ALL:
G Camilleri gave a clear description of our working conditions. We are treated very badly by the government as third class workers.We deserve better conditions as we are not paid for what we do, earning only 700eur a month. We the Supply category are not eligible to bank loans as our contracts ends at the end of each scholastic year.According to the European Union directives those supply workers who have been working for 4 years will be given a permanent job but unfortunately the government is not abiding with the law. This issue is really hurting us because we always did our job in a professional manner and dedication.

First it was the dockyard workers, then the transport workers, then the nurses, then the university lecturers and now the supply teachers! I wonder who is next! It seems that GonziPN is breaking one promise after another now that the election is in the bag! Who ever said that honesty is the best policy should go to Marsa and water the lettuce!!!!

@ M. J. Costigan

Teachers are obliged to take their holidays on definite dates, and not like most of the workers who can take their leave when they want too. Teachers in their holidays they dedicate a lot of time in their preperation for the coming scholastic year (if it's summer) or for the coming semester. Some teachers/lecturers of supply staff even give extra hours voluntary so that they see your children succeed, even if they are not paid during those extra hours!

Secondly the new reform is bringing changes in the educational system and when there is a change in the conditions of work, one would assume that change has to be done by everyone and not just by the teachers, but also by the government and the parents.

The teacher role is to educate the child and so it is of the parents. Any worker has his right to strike and someone is going to be affected, this case the students. Thus nobody has a right to go on a teacher, supply staff and tell them not to strike. Let's please respect each other first of all as we all have our rights.

Maybe they should have a shorter working week and longer holidays to be like other workers.

Tony Mizzi
MUT don't take any notice of the little Gonzipn apologists elves who do not care about your members hardships imposed upon them by Gonzipn.

m.psaila
Inti ħaddiem? Għax ma tipprotestax kontra l-arroganza u l-intransiġenza ta' Gonzipn?

R.J.Costigan
If the teachers have it so good, why don't you become a teacher?

p aquilina
Taf x'jgħid il-qawl Malti? Li min jindaħal bejn il-basla w'qoxritha jibqa' b'riħitha. Mela għalfejn trid lil PL jindaħal jekk kulħadd jaf li l-kwistjoni hija minħabba l-arroganza ta' Gonzipn? Iż-żieda ta' €290 fil-ġimgħa li ħadu Gonzipn, il-Ministri u s-Segretarji Parlamentari hija aċċettabbli għalik Sur/Sinjura Aquilina? Ta' ħaddieħor hija żejda?

Just to emphasis on the point of concern about the school till 5:00. Whoever want s a personal acheivement should think twice before committed themselvies to have children to be like everyone else. Kindergraten teachers are there to educate our children and make them feel at home at their first experience away from home and not to baby sit for those who just want to have everthing except take care of their 'beloved'. And by the way kindergarten and teachers have children too and are not of a lesser God. Children of 2 years and nine months are not pupilsbut still babies. Most of them not knowing how to talk and express themselvies correctly, not to say with dummies,not toilet trained and lack of school facilities to cater for such new demanding needs. Who wants there child to remain till 5:00, he should subscribe his 'beloved' to a nursey / playschool after school hours.

@ R J Costigan

The eight nine weeks of holidays - as we don't finish when students stop school are spent preparing material, the past two years i spent them preparing notes as the syllabus changed. well that is my job.

Just a reminder - teachers cannot take a day off- its true that we have 8-9 weeks in which we don't go to school but we do work. For the rest of the year we have 27.5hours of time off and they cannot be taken for a whole day. Don't other worker take leave when they please?

as Mr Camilleri mentioned persons under the supply catergory are paid at scale 15 and they can never go up a scale.

@R J Costigan

Let me tell you who teachers are. They are underpaid professionals who, apart from teaching their students for 6 hours a day, go home to spend more hours in preparing lessons and correcting homework. Furthermore, in some cases, they also have to fulfill the role of both mum and dad who are unfortunately missing in some of our children's lives!!! We also act as doctors, cousellors among others. So please before underestimating teachers, evaluate their work better!!

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. Supply Kindergarten Asistans and supply Learning Support Assistants are main on the minimum of Scale 15 and NEVER get an increment!!! That means they now get a gross salary of Euro 10930 a year!!!! That is Euro 910 a month Gross. Of of that 1/10 goes to National insurance and, at least 15% goes to tax!!! You can then all immagine what remains in these people's pockets!! The MUT was promised more than a year and a half ago that this injustice would be seen to. To add insult to injury none of what has been promised by the authorities in July of 2007 in the signed Reform Agreement was implemented. The MUT is finally taking some minor action to protect its members and protest against a Goverment who is taking these dedicated workers for a ride. What worries me as a Maltese citizen ois that you have a few insensible people who opt to critisize or unjustly attck a responsible Trade Union like the MUT which decides to defend the rights of workers against blatant abuse by the authorities.

Who are these teachers? Saints? in Maltese BEATI? Are they workers
who are out of this world? I think that when they studied for their
career, they knew what their future will be.


They are workers like others, like those who when they are on holidays
during the summer, others are working in the sun of 90degrees and
more temperature. So do not cry 'dmugh tal-kukkudrilli'.

This talk only happens in Malta my dears. People who think are professionals are offering their opinions on the subject, not even realising that this article has nothing to do with teachers and lecturers, but supply staff. Furthermore, I invite those who talk about teachers' holidays to spend a day in the classroom and then they will know what profession and dedication we teachers have.

Additionally I would like to tell those who are talking about school till 5pm to satisfy working parents that we are not babysitters. Why do they consider having children in the first place, if they are always trying to get rid of them?

@M Psaila & j Aquilina

Fine teachers should never take any industrial actions ..... so could you please tell us, common human beings, what should a teacher do if his rights, as a worker are violated by his employer??? Or better, what, if you 2 are workers, do when your employer abuses you???? Do you ask your union to portect you?

Going on, you could also advise us why you want to deminise the rights of teachers?? Aren't we all worker??? Aren't we entitled of the same rights????

Apart, why you deplore the MUTs actions but not the government???? Is the government corect and the MUT isn't ???? Is your gonzipn always right?????

Is this the democratic republic of Malta or a communist state???? It seems that some blogger prefer a commmunist state were certain worker are deprive of their right to demonstrate and protect their interest.

Apart, kindly note that this action is on the condition of work of LSA and kindergarten assistents, NOT TEACHER !!!!

@ R J Costigan

Responsible teachers spend the so called 'holidays' preparing lessons and teaching resources to teach their children with. Believe me, holidays are no HOLIDAY for teachers!!

PS and by children I mean STUDENTS

Teachers are a really unfortunate lot. Whenever they have some issue in relation to their conditions of work, to some injustice etc, they are always confronted with angry parents. It does not take a genius to understand that this is a tactic suitably adopted by any Maltese government, at least that is what history shows. If they strike then our children will suffer, if they do not do their jobs well, then our children will suffer, if they are depresses then our children will suffer and the litany continues. These people who are mostly, dedicated persons, which work long hours, even though people may think otherwise, cannot seem to have the sacrosanct right to ask for what is rightfully theirs. Is there any other profession that can boast about the same misfortune?

@ all wanting school till 5

Who are we teachers - babysitters??... we do have holiday most of us teachers need to update our notes to our childrens' needs, we prepare tests, and special papers so that our children will be able to work when we go back to school. Are you thinking that teachers are babysitters of at least 20 students for a day. We educate your children mostly in a subject, we give them notes, we explain at least once ideas and methods, and most of the teachers get out of their way to see that a student understood. however, its all useless as some students have no one at home to follow up their work.

Regarding MUT directives- most of the actions taken my our union are as a result of lack of dialogue with the minister.

I am only talking about the supply category and this issue has nothing to do with the issue at the UOM. I was there up to 2 years ago and the things mentioned below happen in some faculties and only a few lecturers/professors do what you are mentioning.

@ M.Psaila

Well said M.Psaila you are absolutely right!

As a parent i agree 100% with your statement!

@A Caruana

Jien jimpurtani mill-edukazzjoni ta' uliedi!

Din hi l-akbar prijorita' tieghi, u ma l-edukazzjoni taghhom ma jigi hadd u xejn!

Il-vot tieghi dejjem jiehdu minn ipoggi l-edukazzjoni bhala l-ewwel prijorita'...jien bhal hafna genituri Maltin uliedi huma l-ghozza tieghi u l-edukazzjoni taghhom hi wisq ghaziza ghalija!

Lest li niccahhad minn kull haga fil-hajja sinjur/a A Caruana mbasta uliedi jkollhom l-aqwa edukazzjoni!

Ghalhekk urtat b'dawn l-azzjonijiet industrijali gha xfilwaqt li nirrikonoxxi li kulhadd ghandu dritt jipprotesta ghalija mhux accettabbli li l-edukazzjoni ta' uliedi tigi mharbta b'dan il-mod!

Konvint li l-magguranza tal-genituri Maltin jahsbuha bhali!

@m.psaila
...u inti jimpurtak li jkollok żieda? Jew ma tagħtix kas?

@p aquilina
What a pity! Parents look at school simply as a place where they can be free without children!!
btw: Jien aktar ninkwieta mis-skiet totali tal-gvern milli tal-PL. Għax il-gvern irid jieħu l-azzjoni. F'xhur sħaħ il-gvern baqa kwiet bla ma mpurtah. Kemm f'din il-kwistjoni u anke tal-universita'.

@ those praising MUT

I assume that you were in the forefront to collect money to teachers who striked during the so called 'Labour' administration and were sacked out, without any pay for long weeks! During that time they were also striking to defend their basic rights!! The only difference is that during that golden era, you could not strike, and if you dared doing so, you would be sacked without any pay, and also expect a good beating!

I assume you were gathered with them during protest marches while protesting against the (in)famous lock out, waiting for some thugs to beat them!!

I also assume that you were not amongst those thugs who beat teachers who tried to collect children in their homes to teach them lessons.

I do hope so!!!!!

Supply teachers / KAs / LSAs are still supply even if they have worked at the same place for more than 5 years. This is contrary of what happens in other EU countries where after 4 years the person is not supply anymore.

So well done to MUT for protecting their members. I think some people here don't know how much supply LSAs earn, considering the work they do with special needs children.

@Jeff Inguanez
I think it is an excellent idea. However, I think those parents who need child minders should pay for it themselves. It is socialistic to expect services without paying for it. The b'xejn jew xejn syndrome is a thing of the past.

Jeff Inguanez is right !

That is what us, working parents, really need u mela azzjonijiet industrijali ghal zieda fil-paga li vittma taghha huma uliedna!!

U ghadni nistenna r-reazzjoni tal-PL ... skiet totali li jhassbek serjament!

@lgalea

Jien bhala genitur ta' tifla l-Universita' minn binti jimpurtani u ninkwieta li minhabba dawn l-azzjonijiet tal-MUT u tal-lecturers se jharbtulha sena taghlim (u dan kollu ghax il-lecturers iridu zieda')

Dik serjeta'!!

Dear Jeff Inguanez,
Children are in your responsability. So it is your job to take care of them. The teacher's job is to educate your children not just a place where you can put children.

As usual, children are the innocent victims of these directives.

time will come j caruana and co when you too will want a fair day's wage for a fair day's work.

What we need is kindergarten and primary school hours till at least 5pm.

That would be the best thing for working parents.

What does the MUT think about this proposal?

.

P Aquilina
Għax ma tattakkax lil Gonzipn minħabba l-arroganza u l-intransiġenza tiegħu mhux lil min ma jista' jagħmel xejn għax mhux huwa fil-Gvern?

Ara għalihom Sur/Sinjura Aquilina ma qagħdux jieħdu azzjonijiet industrijal għax iddeċidew li jieħdu żieda ta' €290 fil-ġimgħa!

Din aċċettabbli għalik Sur/Sinjura Aquilina?

lecturers and the MUT argue that they are not treated well, not paid enough....

I think the gov should take notice of the lecture's attendance especially at the university. Lectures canceled in the last minute, takes only 30 min instead of 1 hr lecture...ask the students and they will tell you what kind of problems some university lectures are causing!

Well, I think LSA (facilitators) work must be much more appreciated...and there wage must be just, to there responsabilities in caring children with difficulties, physical and mentally.

They are paid some Euros more than the minimum wage - a wage that is not a family wage - that afamily can survive of it

bla bla bla and the students are always the victims. Thanks MUT - proud to be a Maltese student !!!

What is curious is that only Govt employees always want some more. We hardly hear of a industrial dispute in the private sector. Is this because the Govt employees are a spoiled lot?
Many of the writers must be too young to remember how workers were treated during the 70' and 80's. Old members of the MUT should remember the different treatment given by this Govt and Labour as well as those workers who obeyed their unions' directives and found themselves without a job. Those were the days when one had a reason to moan and whine and not to-day when everyone asks for more from the benign Govt.

WHAT I FIND UNACCEPTABLE IS THAT WHILST THE GOVERNMENT IS INITIATING WIDE REFORMS IN THE EDUCATIONAL SECTOR, THE MUT IS ONLY FOCUSED ON INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES!

@ P.Aquilina .............are you a worker ............. if yes you should know that every worker has the right to demand what he is entitled too ......... or you pretend that they just shut thir mouth and let this arrogant government do what he wants with its employees.......

@I Abela

Jien li naf hu li dawn l-azzjonijiet qed iharbtu l-edukazzjoni ta' uliedna u jien bhala genitur dan nqisu bhala INACCETTABLI!

Rigward il-pozizzjoni tal-Partit Laburista hu fatt li Joseph Muscat jippreferi joqghod gallarija biex ma jmurx jitlef xi vot!

L-opportunizmu politiku u s-sustanza politika huma allergici ghal xulxin!

Min jibza' jiddecidi mhux denju li jmexxi pajjiz u din Joseph irid jitghallimha darba ghal dejjem!

Alfred Camilleri,
Your posting fits Gonzipn perfectly.

P Aquilina
Would you let your employer trample on your rights just because third parties may suffer by your INDUSTRIAL actions?

@muscat.Pat

as if you can compare the teachers' situation in the 80's with today!!!!

Reading some of the comments below really makes me laugh. First some people boast of the democratic credentials of our country, then in another article such as this one they condemn democracy, by stating that the unions should keep their mouth shut, and everybody should also shut up and thank god he/she have a job. That is not democracy. Also for the WISE GUYS who are asking where is Joseph Muscat......Why don't you ask yourself instead, where is the PN government who first agreed to and signed collective agreements and then failed to live up to its committments. ? PN apologists should be aware that the country is in such a dire situation that any more of your comments will only tarnish your credibility.

Mr Alfred Camilleri never agrees with actions that ricochet on the P.N. government. He should be ignored.

Irringrazzja lil Alla, li int m'intx fiz-zarbun ta' dawn l-ghalliema Alfred Camilleri, ghax kieku toqmos fuq ponot subghajk qieghed.

Teachers always stick their neck out when the need arises; they did so in the 80's and will do so even now. Principles are not for sale. Can you not discern the signs of the times?

A simple note to the MUT and their leaders.

To-day is the 5th of January and all the teachers are still

enjoying their holidays.

Any directives will be condemned by the general public.

Alfred Camilleri

Mela ghax tiggieled ghad drittijiet tal haddiema turi x kulur int? Int min int! Din x' mentalita hi? Anke inti qed turi x kulur int meta tirraguna hekk.

@Alfred Camilleri
I had to read your comment twice:
The MUT leadership is showing its true colours. As the Maltese saying goes 'Iz-zejt jitla f'wicc l-ilma'

1. At first I thought you were referring to the GRTU leadership.

2.Are you suggesting that you prefer the MUT leadership to be YES men? The Union is there to protect its members. Let's just hope that it is not the children who will be burdened by the industrial actions (especially children with special needs).

Mr. Camilleri,

So if a Union is fighting for the rights of its workers, for you it means it's siding with a political party or I'm wrong? What do you mean by true colours?

If I'm not wrong MUT has always been criticisized for taking decisions which did not always pleased both local political parties. Take the EU issue and now take the University issue.

Or are you just trying to throw mud on a Union who is trying to fight for its workers rights?
Can you be more concise in your words please.

One thing I can say about MUT that when it felt to take a stand, she didn't bother to please someone as recent history apparently shows that its main priority is to fight for its workers and not political parties.

We are to understand that there will be no pay during the industrial action. Any payment during industrial action is just squandering honest workers' money.

@ Alfred Camilleri

You are right Mr Camilleri!

Dejjem povri l-istudenti u l-genituri taghhom!

And surprise surprise Dr Joseph Muscat remains tight lipped on these issues (forsi li ma jmurx jurta lil xi hadd, ghax l-ghalliema u l-genituri t-tnejn ghandhom vot!)

Att: Alfred Camilleri

Kindly note that the government deceived us.!!

The MUT leadership is showing its true colours. As the Maltese saying goes 'Iz-zejt jitla f'wicc l-ilma'.