Update: The Union of Professional Educators – Voice of the Workers has said in a statement on Wednesday evening, that it “fully supports and endorses the strike action initiated by the Malta Union of Teachers in relation to State schools at this point in time, and consequently State school educators who are members of the UPE are also being asked to strike.”
The MUT had instructed all its members to not turn up for work because of the rise in Covid-19 cases. The industrial dispute was registered after a failed meeting the the union and the Prime Minister, over its request for online teaching was denied, it said.
The UPE went on to say that “it has become blatantly obvious that despite the current events and the deterioration of the COVID situation in the past few days, the Government has not been willing to listen to any recommendation which was issued in the best interest of our educators, their students and the community at large.”
The Union of Professional Educators stated that “the lack of transparency and the complete silence on behalf of the Government and the Ministry of Education can no longer be passively endured given the precarious situation our educational system is being subjected to.”
Update:
The MUT in an update at 9pm said that it has been informed that “the Ministry has instructed the Principals of the state schools to order the school heads not to obey the strike.”
The MUT said that it condemned this behaviour, adding that “it has also be in informed that there is intimidation on educators by some members of school management and others.”
According to the MUT, “they are saying, among other things, that the strike is unofficial, or they are asking for information from employees about whether they will obey industrial action.”
The MUT said it also “condemns this behaviour and will continue to report any action it receives.”