GWU backs teachers' strike

The General Workers' Union is ordering its non-academic staff not to fill in for teachers during their strike on Thursday, in solidarity with the Malta Union of Teachers.

The GWU said it was unacceptable that the government, which was the country's largest employer, did not respect what was agreed upon in collective agreements. This also sent the wrong message to other employers, it said.

Last week, the MUT ordered teachers in state and Church schools to strike for one day following the non-implementation of several clauses in the 2007 education reform agreement. It also said that promised talks on an addendum on improved allowances had not yet started.

It accused the Church of dragging its feet on a new collective agreement.

The GWU's government and public entities' section said it was backing the MUT's action and was directing teachers, instructors and facilitators who were its members to join in the action. It also instructed its non-academic staff members not to carry out any work related to the strike.

The government said that 54 of the 70 measures listed in the reform agreement had been implemented. It said the allowances the MUT was requesting would cost an extra €15 million a year.