The teachers’ union has declared an industrial dispute over Sliema’s residential parking scheme and called on the authorities to suspend it until a solution is found.

The scheme, which would impose restricted hours on half the parking spaces in the locality, meant staff working in its schools would have to leave during the day to move their cars, the Malta Union of Teachers said.

In a six-month roll-out, the scheme will apply to half the parking bays available, where non-residents will not be able to occupy the same spot for more than two hours between 8am and 9pm and may not return within the hour. The restrictions will not apply to residents who display a local council permit on their car.

The MUT complained that it would be “practically impossible” for teachers, kindergarten assistants, learning support assistants and other staff – who already faced problems in Sliema – to park.

It said it sent a letter to the Prime Minister to “specially intervene” because there was no consultation with stakeholders.

In the letter, the union said it pointed out that there were at least seven primary and secondary schools in Sliema, not to mention language schools.

The scheme was already being implemented and enforced by wardens, it noted.

The teachers’ union called for the scheme to be suspended until discussions were held to find a solution, adding it would wait until Wednesday.