The Malta Union of Teachers and UMASA, the union representing academic staff at the University, insisted today that talks on a collective agreement with the Medical School, which is part of the University, should be held with them, not the Medical Association.

The unions this morning wrote to the University of Malta Rector saying they were the recognised trade unions at the university.

"Membership majority at the Medical School of the University of Malta does not constitute recognition in the University and the MAM should inform itself of Industrial Law and recognition mechanisms" the two unions said.

The MAM in a statement yesterday  threatened industrial action throughout the health service, saying it had sole recognition at the Medical School and should participate and have signatory rights in any general agreement for academic employees at the university.

The MUT and UMASA told the University Rector that they would not tolerate any situation where negotiations were hijacked by MAM or any other association. They threatened industrial action if  the University  decides to include MAM in the negotiations.