MaltaMedia.com

University lecturers are risking the withdrawal of a packet of pay increases that was offered to trade unions representing the University’s academic staff in recent weeks if it continues to be refused by the unions.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance issued the warning to the unions insisting that the official proposals currently on the table represent a substantial improvement in the salaries of University academic staff.

In a rally Tuesday morning at the University, The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) and UMASA (University of Malta Academic Staff Association) ordered University and Junior College professors and lecturers to hold a one-day strike on Wednesday following a breakdown in the discussions between the unions and the Government over salaries.

The academic staff had also been instructed by the unions to boycott the ceremony that inaugurated the opening of the academic year at University.
In the statement, the Finance Ministry said the pay demands made by the unions were not realistic and would cost the country €140 million over six years.

There are substantial discrepancies between the offer made by Government and the requests tabled by the unions. University professors’ pay package is currently €37,806 and the government was proposing to raise it to €41,560 from January with the unions asking for €69,285.

Senior lecturers were currently paid €31,118 and the government proposal was for an increase to €32,311 while assistant lecturers were currently paid €22,635 and the proposed increase was of €23,584. Unions are asking for €57,677 and €31.249 respectively.