Wednesday, 7th January 2009 - 18:40CET

University industrial action lifted

Industrial action which had threatened the holding of first semester University exams has been lifted, the trade unions and the university said in a joint statement this evening.

The industrial action was ordered by UMASA, the union representing university academic staff, and the MUT, following deadlock in protracted talks on a new collective agreement.

University students this morning held a rally in which they urged the union to lift its directives, saying they were unfair on the students (see separate story in the news section). University and Junior College lecturers had been directed not to mark exam papers, among other directives.

UMASA, the MUT, the government and the University are to resume talks tomorrow after a gap of several weeks, something which was also requested by the students in this morning's rally.

The University Students' Council (KSU), which held this morning's rally, welcomed the decision and said it would continue to monitor the situation until an agreement was reached.

It thanked all sides for heeding the students' calls.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 22, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

C. Mifsud (on 9/1/09)

Although some lecturers definitely do merit the raise, from my personal experience, i'm sorry but the majority do not. Once the standards are highered, then yes that all would make sense.

But does a lecturer who just comes to give out a lecturer for the sake of it by merely just reading out the slides which are outdated and then is never available during contact hours or for any other guiding deserve this payrise?

Maybe if some sort of reliable assessment of how lecturers are carrying out their duties is available, it is then that they can expect the students to fight with them instead of against them.

I just feel sorry for those few lecturers that work hard in order to equip the students with good knowledge and make themselves available.

Dominic Fenech (on 8/1/09)

It had better be good this time, because with each impasse the fuse is getting shorter.

Jimmy Magro (on 7/1/09)

civil society has again proved its effectiveness in bringing change

students (I am one too) we should be more active to influence national policy - after all the future depends on the policies of today

students need to communicate outside campus too - we cannot communicate between ourselves

Anthony Vella (on 7/1/09)

I am trying hard to understand what KSU is being congratulated for considering the FACT that the suspension of the directives have absolutely, repeat absolutely nothing to do with today's student rally. I would also advise everyone to postpone their euphoria for a while. This is the beginning not the end.

G Camilleri (on 7/1/09)

Once again, the Malta Union of Teachers and UMASA have shown a sense of professional maturity by returning to the discussion table. It appears that both Unions have agreed to suspend the directives on condition that the talks start tomorrow and then continue on Friday, if necessary. Both Union will then inform their members of the outcome of these discussions next Saturday. Fingers crossed, a solution to this impasse will be found to the satisfaction of all. Unfortunately if to the contrary, both Unions will revert back to the Directives.

Alan Tua (on 7/1/09)

Well done to UMASA for lifting the directives and putting students' minds at rest.

Let's hope that the situation now improves....and that the government makes the investments necessary to have the "centre of excellence" it has promised over and over again. At the end of the day nothing comes for free and improvements will only follow once more money (coupled with more accountability) is invested in the university.

Jeremy J Ca\milleri (on 7/1/09)

Is anyone here thinking that the KSU protests were responsible for the lifting of the directives?

Living on cukoo land aren''t we!

K. Vella (on 7/1/09)

As if the Government will ever give in to UMASA's requests to finally sort out the collective agreement after 5 whole years. Haven't they learnt their lesson after last June's outcome? How long will it be until the next industrial action?

I'm a student, by the way.

rene joseph (on 7/1/09)

i hope now the KSU will continue to support the lecturers, because so far the lecturers union have done their part. Now, the gov has to do his.

Alessandra Dee Crespo GhST (on 7/1/09)

Well done KSU and all organisations for bringing this about! What a relief for all of us. It was very difficult to study under such a black cloud of insecurity.

The KSU's position not to take sides has worked.

Thank you KSU for your hard work.

S. Bugeja (on 7/1/09)

Well done KSU and to all the other organisations for the hard work put in throughout the past weeks fighting for all students' rights!! It is good to see that goodwill prevails between both parties and one hopes that this situation will now be well-buried so as not to affect once more Malta's higher education and its students.

M Galea (on 7/1/09)

KSU ALL THE WAY !!!!!!!! now students can finally think about their studying and their exams...i now encourage both parties to negotiate in the best interest of our University!!

G Fenech (on 7/1/09)

AT LONG LAST!! it seems the students' rally wasn't such a bad idea afterall...well done goes to KSU and all the student organisations that supported it all throughout!! thanks for safeguarding all the students' interests!!! :D

P Debono (on 7/1/09)

That's good news for students. Now what is going to happen to the lecturers' paypacket? I am asking this question because it is the taxpayer that will suffer the repercussions of the exorbitant payrises that they are asking for.

University industrial action lifted

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