Updated: GWU protests over filling of posts at the MTA

The General Workers Union said today that it was concerned and disappointed  that vacancies of the Malta Tourism Authority have been repeatedly issued externally and filled through the appointment of service providers and self-employed personnel.

"This implies the blocking of progression for MTA employees that may have been capable to apply for posts required by MTA" the union said.

In a letter to . Francis Albani, Chief Officer at MTA, Cory Greenland, Secretary to the Union’s Professionals, Finance and Services Section, insisted that the collective agreement, the Public Administration Act and several other government policies clearly required vacancies to be advertised internally.

MTA REACTION

The MTA in a reaction, said it completely disagreed with the General Workers Union’s allegations that calls for the filling of vacancies were being issued externally or filled through the appointment of service providers and self-employed personnel. It also disputed the allegations that the engagement of service providers interferes with the promotion of MTA staff.

"All full time positions covered by the Collective Agreement grades are filled in conformity with the established procedure," the Authority said.

"Service providers are generally engaged in tasks of a temporary nature, as students on summer placement, or as a stop gap solution until the position gains the required approvals.

"Once a vacancy is approved, this is first circulated internally to eligible staff, and any applicants for the post interviewed. There have been several occasions when such vacancies were filled by MTA employees.

"In the event that no suitable applicants are found internally or no internal applications are received, then a call is made through the ETC requesting that persons registering on the various Parts of the ETC register are informed of the vacancy and are interviewed accordingly."

It was only when  this process was exhausted that an external call was advertised on the media.