The Malta College of Arts Science and Technology said on Tuesday it had very recently set up the 'Grievance Office' because it “values and cares for all its staff”.

In a statement last week, the Malta Union of Teachers objected to Mcast’s decision “to set up an ombudsman’s office” and appoint a senior staff member as ombudsman, a decision which, it said, raised several questions.

Mcast said the main objective of the 'Grievance Office' was to hear and resolve issues pertaining to working and learning conditions, while it sought to facilitate solutions through direct contact with managers and establish a culture of transparency and commitment towards inclusion and excellence.

The 'Grievance Office' would support staff who could voluntarily share their grievance verbally or in writing. It would offer advice and suggest ways of resolving issues within the context of the new MUT-Mcast collective agreement, as well as local legislation.

Any recommendations drawn from discussions with staff would be forwarded to Mcast principal and CEO James Calleja for his endorsement or upward referencing, as the case may be.

It said deputy principal Anthony Saliba was in charge of the 'Grievance Office,' located in the Main Administration Building, Ground Floor, Room 116.