Academics' union escalates dispute with University
University staff instructed not to take part in administrative meetings
The trade union representing the university's academics has escalated its dispute with the University of Malta, instructing its members not to take part in administrative meetings.
The University of Malta Academic Staff Association (UMASA) declared an industrial dispute earlier this month, after the university failed to present a financial offer for the new collective agreement.
On Thursday, the union said it had received a financial proposal from the government last week, but said it was “far below” its expectations. It gave the government another week to revise its proposal, but no such revision had been received.
As a result, UMASA issued a directive to all academic staff covered by its collective agreement.
“Academic staff should not organise or attend any administrative or management meetings, in person or online, with immediate effect, and until further notice. Examples of such meetings include, but are not limited to, departmental, faculty, institute, centre or school meetings, and any other staff or board meetings,” the statement reads.
Meetings related to research ethics, recruitment, promotion, and retirement extension are exempt from the directive.
The issue has been ongoing for more than a year, when UMASA first presented its financial demands following the expiration of the previous collective agreement.