Updated: Ministries seek to reassure MUT on review of allowances - union reacts

Adds MUT reaction:

A study of anomalies in allowances given in the civil service will be completed as promised early in the New Year, the Ministries of Finance and Education said today.

They were reacting to a threat of industrial action made yesterday by the Malta Union of Teachers unless progress was made by the Joint Negotiating Team, which is looking into the issue.

The ministries said the MUT and the other trade unions were updated on the work done by the team on November 9.

The setting up of the team was agreed at a meeting between the government and the MUT on June 8 after teachers held industrial action to press their claim for improved allowances to match compensation given to other professions in the public sector.

The ministries also referred to complaints by the MUT on the work of the Teachers' Council. They said that over the past 18 months, the council approved the granting of 222 teachers' warrants. There is a small number of pending applications but a meeting between the Minister of Education and the Council will be held shortly to clarify procedures.

MUT REACTION

The Malta Union of Teachers in a reaction, recalled that on June 10 the Minister of Finance promised in writing that as soon as the study on sectoral agreements and allowances was concluded, or as from January 1, 2010, whichever came first, any anomaly in the allowances would be addressed.

The MUT said it was therefore not prepared to wait beyond January 1. Teachers, in all grades, could not be taken for a ride. The union had been prudent and responsible but now that the six months were almost up, the union expected action, not more promises.